Form-finding of shells containing both tension and compression using the Airy stress function
Journal article, 2022

Pure-compression shells have been the central topic in the form-finding of shells. This study investigated tension-compression mixed-type shells by utilizing a NURBS-based isogeometric form-finding approach that analyses Airy stress functions to expand the possible plan geometry. A complete set of smooth version graphic statics tools is provided to support the analyses. The method is validated using examples with known solutions, and a further example demonstrates the possible forms of shells that the proposed method permits. Additionally, a guideline to configure a proper set of boundary conditions is presented through the lens of asymptotic lines of the stress functions.

Force diagram

Airy stress function

membrane shell

form-finding

graphic statics

wave equation

tension-compression mixed type shell

asymptotic lines

Author

Masaaki Miki

University of Tokyo

Emil Adiels

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Architectural theory and methods

William Baker

Skidmore Owings & Merrill

Toby Mitchell

Skidmore Owings & Merrill

Alexander Sehlström

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Architectural theory and methods

Christopher John Kenneth Williams

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Architectural theory and methods

International Journal of Space Structures

0956-0599 (ISSN) 20598033 (eISSN)

Vol. 37 4 261-282

Subject Categories

Applied Mechanics

DOI

10.1177/09560599221102618

More information

Latest update

3/7/2024 9