Design and construction of kinetic structures based on elastica strips

• Published in: Automation in construction Vol. 146; p. 104659
• Main Authors: Bi, Minghao, He, Yunzhen, Li, Zhi, Lee, Ting-Uei, Xie, Yi Min
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2023
• Subjects: Elastica; Kinetic design; Lightweight construction; Parametric modeling; Ruled surface; Kinetic design; Parametric modeling; Ruled surface; Lightweight construction; Elastica
• ISSN: 0926-5805; 1872-7891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.autcon.2022.104659

Ruled surfaces have been used to create kinetic designs capable of reconfiguring their shapes to adapt to the environment and enhance aesthetic qualities. However, many existing designs require complex mechanical systems and heavy construction. Simplifying the design and construction process using an elastic-kinetic approach is promising but remains underexplored. This paper proposes a new strategy to rationalize kinetic designs with curved surfaces using a series of non-intersecting elastica strips bent to the minimum energy state. Complex 3D kinetic designs can be conveniently and parametrically modeled based on simple design parameters for 2D curves. The generated shapes are systematically classified into four categories. As a proof of concept, a full-scale kinetic pavilion was designed and constructed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in realizing lightweight, high-speed, and cost-efficient construction. An extension of the proposed method to create interactive designs using sensors and actuators is also discussed. •Design using an elastic-kinetic approach without mechanically complex systems•Kinetic transformation based on the elastic deformation of curved rulings•Parametric modeling of kinetic structures using simple design parameters•Lightweight and cost-effective construction of a full-scale kinetic pavilion•Potential extension to interactive designs using sensors and actuators