Design Concept of Variable, Flat Cut Bending-Active Shells
Bending active structures offer an efficient and sustainable way to form freeform shells by elastically deforming initially flat or linear elements. However, widespread adoption remains limited by the difficulty of reconciling structural demands, architectural requirements, and material constraints...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Sciendo
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environment |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2478/acee-2025-0008 |
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| author | Fathollahi Armin Beatini Valentina |
| author_facet | Fathollahi Armin Beatini Valentina |
| author_sort | Fathollahi Armin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Bending active structures offer an efficient and sustainable way to form freeform shells by elastically deforming initially flat or linear elements. However, widespread adoption remains limited by the difficulty of reconciling structural demands, architectural requirements, and material constraints early in the design process. This paper proposes an integrated concept-design method that uses strategically placed cut-out patterns on a flat panel to combine linear ribs and thin plate elements in a single piece. A comparative study using Finite Element Analysis examines the performance of the proposed design when fabricated in plywood versus 3D-printed natural fiber-reinforced polymers. The analysis indicates that plywood, with its well-established fabrication methods and environmental profile, offers a practical solution under current conditions, whereas 3D-printed natural fiber-reinforced polymers present promising avenues for customization and material efficiency – albeit with a need for further validation of their processing parameters. By mapping the interplay between geometry, material selection, and manufacturing methods, the study underscores how early-stage design decisions can influence structural behaviour and overall environmental footprint, paving the way for future prototyping in sustainable architecture. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bfb9062648e3437c8ccf9a31a67a3f62 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2720-6947 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Sciendo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environment |
| spelling | doaj-art-bfb9062648e3437c8ccf9a31a67a3f622025-08-20T03:53:46ZengSciendoArchitecture, Civil Engineering, Environment2720-69472025-05-011819711110.2478/acee-2025-0008Design Concept of Variable, Flat Cut Bending-Active ShellsFathollahi Armin0Beatini Valentina1Graduate MSc student at Tabriz Islamic art university Department of Architecture, IranDepartment of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Aarhus University, DenmarkBending active structures offer an efficient and sustainable way to form freeform shells by elastically deforming initially flat or linear elements. However, widespread adoption remains limited by the difficulty of reconciling structural demands, architectural requirements, and material constraints early in the design process. This paper proposes an integrated concept-design method that uses strategically placed cut-out patterns on a flat panel to combine linear ribs and thin plate elements in a single piece. A comparative study using Finite Element Analysis examines the performance of the proposed design when fabricated in plywood versus 3D-printed natural fiber-reinforced polymers. The analysis indicates that plywood, with its well-established fabrication methods and environmental profile, offers a practical solution under current conditions, whereas 3D-printed natural fiber-reinforced polymers present promising avenues for customization and material efficiency – albeit with a need for further validation of their processing parameters. By mapping the interplay between geometry, material selection, and manufacturing methods, the study underscores how early-stage design decisions can influence structural behaviour and overall environmental footprint, paving the way for future prototyping in sustainable architecture.https://doi.org/10.2478/acee-2025-0008curvature linesvariable – mass materialbending-active gridshellscut-out patterndesign pre-rationalization |
| spellingShingle | Fathollahi Armin Beatini Valentina Design Concept of Variable, Flat Cut Bending-Active Shells Architecture, Civil Engineering, Environment curvature lines variable – mass material bending-active gridshells cut-out pattern design pre-rationalization |
| title | Design Concept of Variable, Flat Cut Bending-Active Shells |
| title_full | Design Concept of Variable, Flat Cut Bending-Active Shells |
| title_fullStr | Design Concept of Variable, Flat Cut Bending-Active Shells |
| title_full_unstemmed | Design Concept of Variable, Flat Cut Bending-Active Shells |
| title_short | Design Concept of Variable, Flat Cut Bending-Active Shells |
| title_sort | design concept of variable flat cut bending active shells |
| topic | curvature lines variable – mass material bending-active gridshells cut-out pattern design pre-rationalization |
| url | https://doi.org/10.2478/acee-2025-0008 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fathollahiarmin designconceptofvariableflatcutbendingactiveshells AT beatinivalentina designconceptofvariableflatcutbendingactiveshells |