Evaluating the geometric component in the optimal design of bending-active gridshell structures

Gridshell structures are a type of bending-active structures . In the present study, bending-active grid structures are ‎ selected since it is simple to construct curved elements to create exciting and diverse ‎ architectural forms with minimum manufacturing energy consumption and minimum wastage ‎ of materials, they are strong shells against all kinds of forces and are less addressed in Iran. In ‎ this regard, the present study tries to determine the optimal geometric form of grid shells by ‎ comparing different geometries. Also, it investigates the geometry of anticlastic, synclastic, ‎ and free forms to help improve the structural performance of the bending-active grid shell. The hardness of these shells fully depends on their shape, therefore efficient forming helps to control their hardness and structural behavior. ‎ The structural performance of the grid shell is analyzed using Kangaroo Physics and Karamba ‎ plugins in Grasshopper software. In constructing bending-active gridshell structures, the ‎ shell geometry is drawn based on the changes in numerical variables such as geometric ‎ dimensions, opening length, etc., using the digital form-finding method in Kangaroo Physics and Karamba ‎ plugins in Grasshopper software and Galapagos optimization , and the final optimal form is ‎ designed. Next, the form is investigated against various stresses and loads including bending, shear, etc. The final model, selected by comparing ‎ different geometrical modules, shall have the lowest stress and the least displacement so that ‎ it can be significantly effective in designing and constructing the optimal forms of ‎ temporary bending-active gridshell structures .