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Innovative structural design

 

How can we shape structures so that they fit current and foreseen design problems?

The innovative structural design research group is a design-oriented, experimental research lab that explores the role of structural geometries in relationship to the external loads and the other design agents under the aim to foster a digital tectonic culture of sustainable, adaptable and adaptive solutions.

It builds upon advanced manufacturing techniques to set modular elements whose geometry is customized up to the scale of the contact interface and of engineered materials, specifically in prefabricated modular structures, kinetic modular systems, and novel dry masonry structures.

It develops form-finding, optimization, and controlled morphing algorithms for performative structures, which employs data from risk analysis and in -situ sensors to adapt to variable and often uncertain working conditions.

Keywords

Generative structural design and optimization; Masonry structures;                                                                Geometry of structural materials;  Risk, resilience & robustness;                                                                    Lightweight structures; Digital tectonics

 Possible case studies for students in research

Adaptable structures and components; Adaptive structural elements;  Kinetic architecture; Curved folding, origami, and kirigami inspired modular structures; NSCD assessment and design of dry masonry structures; Customizable prefabrication of modular buildings; Risk, resilience and robustness of innovative structures

Some research projects

Masonry

Beatini V, Royer-Carfagni G, Tasora A, 2019. A non-smooth dynamic analysis of Brunelleschi’s cupola. An octagonal vault or a circular dome? Meccanica, 54:525–547. J13

Beatini V, Royer-Carfagni G, Tasora A, 2019, Modelling the shear failure of segmental arches. ijss

Beatini V, Royer-Carfagni G, Tasora A, 2018. The role of frictional contact of constituent blocks on the stability of masonry domes. Royal Society Proc. A 474 (2209)

Beatini V, Royer-Carfagni G, Tasora A, 2017. A regularized Non-Smooth Contact Dynamics approach for architectural masonry structures. Computer and Structures 187: 88–100 

Beatini V, Royer Carfagni G. 2016. Large transformations of tensile membrane structures with moderate strains. Mathematics and Mechanics of Solids, 28, 1717 – 1737.

Kinetic and adaptable modular structures

Beatini V, 2017. Symmetry-based Transformable and Foldable Plate Structures. J. of Mechanical Design 139(7): 072301-072313.  

Beatini, V., 2016. Kinetic rosette patterns and tessellations. Int. J. of Comp.Methods & Experimental Measurements, WIT Transactions, 5(4): 631 - 641 ISSN:2046-0546 DOI: 10.2495/CMEM-V5-N4-631-641

Beatini V, 2015. Translational method for designing folded plates structures. Int. J.of Space Structures, 30(2).

Beatini V. 2015. Polar method to design folded plates structures. J. of the IASS, 2015, 56(84):125-137.

Beatini V, and Korkmaz K. 2014. Shapes of Miura mesh mechanism with mobility one. Int. J.of Space Structures, 28(2). 

  Beatini V, and Korkmaz K, 2013. A rib shaped kinetic folded plate structure. In: Escrig F., Sanchez J. (eds.), New Proposals for Transformable Architecture, Engineering and Design. Seville:Starbooks. ISBN: 978-84-939565-3-0   

(Adaptable) tensioned structures

Beatini V, Royer Carfagni G. 2017. Soap film analogy for optimal transformable cable nets. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 55(3): 885-898.

Beatini V, Royer Carfagni G. 2016. Large transformations of tensile membrane structures with moderate strains. Mathematics and Mechanics of Solids, 28, 1717 – 1737.

Beatini V, Royer Carfagni G. 2013. Cable-stiffened foldable elastica for movable structures, Engineering Structures, 56, pp 126-136.

Beatini V, and Korkmaz K, 2013. A transformable tensile structure. Tensinet Symposium - [Re] Thinking lightweight structures, Istanbul.

Beatini V, 2013. Elastica for Transformable Architecture, ETA, and its use for tensioned membranes. Tensinet Symposium - [Re] Thinking lightweight structures, Istanbul.

Some students' work