Journal for Geometry and Graphics 15 (2011), No. 2, 169--179
Copyright Heldermann Verlag 2011
Algorithms for Generation of Irregular Space Frame Structures
Franz Gruber
Dept. for Geometry, University of Applied Arts, Oskar-Kokoschka-Platz 2, 1010 Vienna, Austria
franz.gruber@uni-ak.ac.at
Günter Wallner
Dept. for Geometry, University of Applied Arts, Oskar-Kokoschka-Platz 2, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Complex space frames with respect to aesthetics and stability are an important factor in contemporary architecture. Obviously there are many different ways to generate spatial structures, especially if randomness affects the generating process. In this work we present two algorithms to generate irregular space frames inside arbitrary (including non-convex) boundary volumes with predefined support areas. The resulting structures are intended as input for a genetic algorithm which optimizes the static stability. The first algorithm uses 3D-Voronoi structures as a starting point, which makes sense in terms of the framework's load capacity. The second approach uses a repulsive force field for the calculation of curve-skeletons of three-dimensional objects.
Keywords: Pace frames, structures, 3D Voronoi tessellations, skeletonization, vector field.
MSC: 68U05; 00A67
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