Timber Tectonics in the Digital AgeBAHAR ABIRI’s PORTFOLIO PROFESSORS MARIAPAOLA RIGGIO AND NANCY YEN-WEN CHENG SPRING 2018

BAHAR ABIRI TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE - SPRING 2018 2

LEARNING OBJECTIVE• Columns:• Columns are classified by their length

dimension between support ends.Application of short and long columns aredifferent. Wood columns are supportingbeams and girders, which in turn supportroof and floor loads.

• Beams:• A simply supported beam is substantially

stronger and stiffer than a cantilever of thesame length and same cross-sectionaldimensions.

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Date: 05/21/2018 Topic: Timber Tectonics in Digital Age

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By: Week 02 - handouts_columns-beams.pdf (By Dr. Riggio, Mariapaola)

Columns & Beams

Columns can be produced with various shapes on elevation,which can be varied over the height in order to match thestructural requirements.A doubly tapered shape can have less in the vicinity of theends.

Dendriform (tree-like) columns:In the tree like column, theindividual element must berigidly connected at the joints.It is suitable for only the onemain load scheme.

Arena_Stage.pdf

The wood columns are spaced 36 feet apart and elliptically shaped for structural efficiency, to minimize their visual impact and create a feeling of transparency into and throughout the space.

Columns & Beams

BAHAR ABIRI TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE - SPRING 2018 3

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Beam and Column Modeling inRhino:In this week I have learned how todesign Beam and columns boththeoretically and digitally. Thisexperiment in trying to introduceKaramba, a plugin for Grasshopper.Karamba is a parametric structuralengineering tool which providesaccurate analysis of spatial trusses,frames and shells. I developedabilities in Rhino, Grasshopper andKaramba to modeling and creatingcolumns and beams. For designingjoint, Karamba assumes rigidnodes at connections betweenbeams. And to creating curves, allbeams need to be created fromseparate straight-line segments. Allnodes must be exactly at the endsof beams for them to connect.

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Date: 05/21/2018 Topic: Timber Tectonics in Digital Age

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BAHAR ABIRI TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE - SPRING 2018 4

LEARNING OBJECTIVE• Frames:• Frames are more efficient system than post-

and lintel system, because the rigidconnection between the columns and thebeam transfers the action on the columns tothe beam, and through the beam to theopposite column.

• Trusses:• Trusses are triangular frame works that

members are essentially axial forces along ofexternal load. They are used to span longlengths and referred to as lattice girders. Thetriangular subdivision of the planar systemproduces geometric units which make itstable. Stable framework consisting ofelements connected only at their ends.

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Date: 05/21/2018 Topic: Timber Tectonics in Digital Age

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By: Week 03 -handouts_framesand trusses.pdf (By Dr. Riggio, Mariapaola)

Frames & Trusses

Frame with some rectangular meshes

In a truss, forces that areeither tensile orcompressive results fromexternal loads, and thestructure's reaction tothose loads, act at thejoints.

The structure of “MaggieCancer Support Center, inManchester” is exposedthroughout the buildingand consists of laminatedveneer lumber (LVL)trusses each with a set ofdiagonally opposeddouble web elements.

By: Trada_MaggieCentre Manchester.pdf

Frames & Trusses

BAHAR ABIRI TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE - SPRING 2018 5

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Truss Modeling in Rhino:

I tried to model this truss bridge onRhinoceros with the moduleGrasshopper. The main aim is todesign a parametric truss by thissoftware. By changing the divisionof curve, changing the count, thetruss can reinforce by increasingsegments. In addition, by changingY factor, the width of the trusschanges.I think there is a direct relationshipbetween these two factors. Inother words, if we want to use thistruss in a wide area, it needs tohave more division in curve. So themore y factor needs more count ondivision of curve.

WEEK #

Date: 05/21/2018 Topic: Timber Tectonics in Digital Age

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Drawing truss through lunchbox

BAHAR ABIRI TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE - SPRING 2018 6

LEARNING OBJECTIVE• Arch:• The great property of an arch is to be able to

transfer the load to the support only withcompressive forces.

• They are mainly used in large structures thatrequire a long span with no support. In addition,timber is commonly used in building roofs, as it islight and easy to shape.• One of the major problems of timber

structure isthe limited length imposed by naturaldimensions.of trees. Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam) solvethis issue. Glulam members can be fabricated inlong lengths and in almost any cross sectionalshape.• Domes:• Modern timber domes are designed

according to geodesic geometry.

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Date: 05/21/2018 Topic: Timber Tectonics in Digital Age

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Week 04 -handouts_archesand domes.pdf (By Dr. Riggio, Mariapaola)

Arch

Radialribdome

Geodesic domes are composed of triangles that areapproximately equal, and such that the vertices ofthe triangles all lie on the surface of a sphere or ahemisphere.Geodesic dome structures do not need anyadditional bracing members because ofgeometry.

Some examples of glulam arch connections

Arches & Domes

Arches & Domes

BAHAR ABIRI TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE - SPRING 2018 7

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Arch Model in Rhino:I tried to model this arch in Rhinoceroswith the module On Grasshopper. The mainaim was to have a parametric arch design. Itried to analyze this module by Karamba, aplugin in Grasshopper. I searched online,watching several tutorials to figure out howto calculate and optimize the algorithms on Karamba.

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Date: 05/21/2018 Topic: Timber Tectonics in Digital Age

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Grid, Shells, GridShells

BAHAR ABIRI TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE - SPRING 2018 8

LEARNING OBJECTIVE• Grid:• Rectangular beam grids are 2 identical beams

at right angles which supported each other.In this shape, one beam placed in top ofanother one.

• The main difference between grid and diagridfrom the form view is about angles which thebeams do not intersect at right angles.

• Shell:• 3D structure that carry loads through its

shape.• Normal and in-plane shear stresses are

uniformly distributed over the cross section.• Timber lattice roof, is defined as a flat

squared lattice that is lifted or lowered into adoubly curved shape.

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Date: 05/21/2018 Topic: Timber Tectonics in Digital Age

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Diagridshell

By: Week 05 - handouts_grid-shells-gridshells.pdf (By Dr. Riggio, Mariapaola)

A lot of double curved timber structures consist of alattice of ribs combined with one or more continuouslayers of timber ply. This continuous layer providesinteraction between the ribs and membrane action in acertain extend.

Transport friendly setup.

Assembly ready module

Four modules connected. The grey ones are turned 90° relatedto the other two, creating a wowed pattern. The bypass-jointsbecomes the rule rather than an exception from the rule.

Expo Canopy, Hannover Germany, Herzog+partner, 2000gridshell Trondheim_WCTE2016.pdf

Grid Shell

BAHAR ABIRI TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE - SPRING 2018 9

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Modeling in Rhino:

I tried to model this grid in Rhinoceros withthe module On Grasshopper. The main aimwas to have a parametric arch design. I triedto analyze this module by Karamba, a pluginin Grasshopper. I looked at the Gridshell-structures-in-laminated-bamboo.pdf whichNancy sent to us.

WEEK #

Date: 05/21/2018 Topic: Timber Tectonics in Digital Age

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Plated & Folded Plates

BAHAR ABIRI TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE - SPRING 2018 10

LEARNING OBJECTIVE• Folded plates carry loads transversely to the

ridge and valley of the plates.• Each unit strip of slab acts transversely as a

fixed-end beam.• Each series of transverse strips of slab

behaves like a continuous beam with equalspans, rigidly supported at the folds.

• The loads transferred transversely to thefolds are then transferred in bending actionalong the length of the plate. Each slab actslongitudinally as a rectangular beam of widthand depth.

• For plate systems, Cross Laminated Timberand plywood can be used. Nail laminatedtimber can be coupled with plywood sheetsas top layer.

• Connections: Twisted dovetail joint helpsassembling the structure. Also, a tongue andgroove system can be used to lock eachpanel.

WEEK #

Date: 05/21/2018 Topic: Timber Tectonics in Digital Age

• Week 06 - handouts_plates and folded platess.pdf (By Dr. Riggio, Mariapaola)• CAADFutures.pdf

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Plates & Folded Plates

BAHAR ABIRI TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE - SPRING 2018 11

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Folded Plates Modeling in Rhino:

In this week we have learnedhow to design folded plates onRhino using Grasshopper. At first,we learned basic modeling offolded plates. Then we havelearned how to develop it anduse Karamba to analyze andoptimize the algorithm.

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Date: 05/21/2018 Topic: Timber Tectonics in Digital Age

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Basic Design

Roof Folded Plates

Changing the Max Edge hasinfluenced on the analyzes inKaramba.

BAHAR ABIRI TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE - SPRING 2018 12

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

By using the handouts and materials welearned at class:First, we worked modeling with gridshell.This model was the design we have in ourgroup project. We are trying to figure outthe form related to building structure andconnections. Then we plan to use a gridthat we raise from the ground and connectto form curvature. The structure is firstmade on the ground, which makes itrelatively easy to assemble and connecttogether, then bent to the desired shapeand fixed at its supports. It hasbending moments within the members thatexperience axial compression and tension loads. It should be analyze this as a rigidsystem.

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Date: 05/21/2018 Topic: Timber Tectonics in Digital Age

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BAHAR ABIRI TIMBER TECTONICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE - SPRING 2018 13

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Then, for the midterm, we decided to make foldedplates. We are still working on our system.Through the last week, we have learned aboutfolded plates. We thought maybe by adding somebeams make it stable. But, our folded plates stillneed some changes for having stable structure.These changes maybe can taken place byreinforcing by some beams, using tension cable ormaking a double layer of the form. With Karamba,we would analyze the structural capacity of thedesign and optimize thesystem. Using the top and bottom shell as a truss, and connecting shell plates can help tofind the form with less deflections.

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Date: 05/21/2018 Topic: Timber Tectonics in Digital Age

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Master’s StudentBAHAR ABIRI’S PORTFOLIO PROFESSORS MARIAPAOLA RIGGIO AND NANCY YEN-WEN CHENG SPRING 2018

MY NAME: BAHAR ABIRIMy e-mail address: abirib@oregonstate.eduList of Teammates: Ryan MaruyamaDaniel MatallanaEli MetcalfCody KnightKey documents consulted:Week 06 - handouts_plates and folded platess.pdf (By Dr. Riggio, Mariapaola)Week 05 - handouts_grid-shells-gridshells.pdf (By Dr. Riggio, Mariapaola)Week 04 -handouts_archesand domes.pdf (By Dr. Riggio, Mariapaola)Week 03 -handouts_framesand trusses.pdf (By Dr. Riggio, Mariapaola)Week 02 - handouts_columns-beams.pdf (By Dr. Riggio, Mariapaola)Arena_Stage.pdfBy: Trada_MaggieCentre Manchester.pdfgridshell Trondheim_WCTE2016.pdfCAADFutures.pdf

http://aasarchitecture.com/2013/01/urban-adapter-by-rocker-lange-architects.html