Développement d'un programme paramétrique permettant de concevoir une structure réciproque 3D avec un minimum de connecteurs métalliques

Details

Supervisors

Latteur, Pierre

Faculty

Ecole polytechnique de Louvain

Degree label

Master [120] : ingénieur civil des constructions, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

enThe purpose of this work is the implementation of a parametric program for the design of 3D reciprocal structures. It is part of a larger goal aiming at reducing the cost of timber construction by using raw tree trunks as structural elements. Indeed, timber can only compete economically with other materials (concrete, steel, ...) in the construction world by reducing the costs associated with the transformations needed before it can be used. Nevertheless, the limitation of the length of the trunks forces us to rely on other structural principles to be able to cover large spaces. We introduce the reciprocal frame structures. Thanks to this concept, the beams support each other and allow to cross spans greater than the length of the beams constituting it without intermediate supports. The modeling of such a structure is complex due to the interdependence of the positions between its elements. A numerical and parametric approach is compulsory. Although a lot of research has been done on this subject, very few software is available. In this work, we have developed a Grasshopper program that facilitates and automates the design of reciprocal frame structures for any type of envelope. This program allows us to have a total control over the final geometry of the structure. It also minimizes the number of metallic connectors between our beams by maximizing the number of connections working by contact pressure.