Process / pipelineStructural design and morphogenesis
Structural Form-Finding
Structural Form-Finding is a computational method for discovering structural geometries that are efficient under given loads and constraints. Pioneered by Heinz Schek in 1974, it reverses traditional structural design: rather than imposing a predetermined form and then analyzing whether it is strong enough, form-finding begins with loads and support conditions and derives the optimal form that minimizes material use while meeting safety requirements.
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Sources
- Schek, H. J. (1974). The Force Density Method for Form Finding and Computation of General Networks. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 3(1), 115-134. DOI: 10.1016/0045-7825(74)90045-0 ↗
- Kilian, A., Ochsendorf, J. (2009). Particle-Spring Systems for Structural Form Finding. Journal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures, 46(2), 77-84. link ↗
- Hensel, M., Menges, A., Weinstock, M. (2006). Techniques and Technologies in Morphogenetic Architecture. Architectural Design, 76(2), 88-95. DOI: 10.1002/ad.227 ↗