Workshop 8: Structural NURBS

Workshop 8: Structural NURBS 2018-04-17T16:46:04+00:00

Description:

The workshop will explore meshfree modelling and simulation of complex structural systems with the Isogeometric Analysis method. Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) is a new and innovative computational approach within Finite Element Analysis, which allows to perform simulations of structural behaviour directly on the NURBS parametrization of CAD geometry objects. The workshop will use Kiwi3d, a new IGA plugin for Rhino and Grasshopper developed by the organizers. Kiwi3d integrates modules for geometrical linear and nonlinear analysis as well as cutting edge form-finding algorithms and building process routines directly embedded in the native NURBS definition of the model.

Isogeometric Analysis unveils significant potential in computer-aided design and engineering, as it uses one consistent mathematical model description throughout architectural and engineering design phases skipping entirely the need of element discretisation. In the first part of the workshop the participants will be introduced to the principles and the computational method of IGA. These will be demonstrated through a variety of examples and exercises. The second part will focus on developing complex models and simulations within the fully integrated NURBS-based design-to-analysis pipeline. This will also include the form-finding and analysis of membrane and bending active structures, modelling and simulation of building processes as well as the development of personal design ideas with the support of the tutors.

Expected Skill Level: Understanding of Rhino and Grasshopper

Tutors:

Anna Bauer, Riccardo La Magna and Philipp Längst

Bio:

Anna Bauer is a doctoral student and Ph.D. candidate at the Chair of Structural Analysis at the Technical University of Munich under the supervision of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kai-Uwe Bletzinger. In her research she focuses on the development and implementation of Isogeometric Analysis methods for architectural and structural design as well as leading graduate courses on IGA at the TU Munich.

Riccardo La Magna is a structural engineer active both in research and practice. He received his Ph.D. from the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) at the University of Stuttgart with a thesis on bending-active structures. He is now project engineer at str.ucture GmbH and has been guest professor at the Chair for Structural Design and Technology (KET) of the UdK Berlin. In his research he focuses on simulation technology, innovative structural systems, and new materials for building applications.

Philipp Längst is working as a structural engineer at str.ucture GmbH in Stuttgart (Germany). He received a B.Sc. degree (2012) in Civil Engineer from the University of Stuttgart before he joined Foster + Partners, Structural Engineering Department, London, UK in 2013. He graduated from University of Stuttgart with a M.Sc. degree in Civil Engineer in 2015, which included a research visit to the Chair of Structural Analysis, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kai-Uwe Bletzinger, Technical University of Munich with focus on Isogeometric methods and its advantages for structural design. His interests focus on linking architectural and structural design with new technologies in computational analysis methods in order to explore and exploit new approaches in structural design.