Biomimetic timber shells made of bending-active segments

Abstract

In the research field of segmented timber shells, two construction systems have lately received much attention, which both expose interesting structural and constructional characteristics: planar plate structures made of thin plywood and actively bent plywood structures. The research presented in this article combines elements of both approaches, resulting in a construction system for segmented shell structures with elastically bent elements. The increasing complexity of this approach requires a sophisticated design process, which integrates fabrication constraints as well as structural feedback. As a consequence, form-finding strategies of bending-active timber shells are discussed, with a special focus on the programming of the stiffness distribution in order to fulfil geometrical requirements. The authors also reflect on the specific structural challenges of joining thin sheets of plywood by transferring traditional textile connection methods to timber construction. Investigations of biological role models such as the sand dollar led to transfers of constructional principles on different levels. The resulting construction system was validated through the design and construction of a full-scale architectural prototype.