Abstract
Deployable gridshells are a class of planar-to-spatial structures that achieve
a 3D curved geometry by inducing bending on a flat grid of elastic beams. However, the slender nature of these beams often conflicts with the structure’s load-bearing capacity.
To address this issue, multiple layers are typically stacked to enhance out-of-plane
stiffness and prevent stability issues. The primary challenge then lies in deploying such multi-layered systems globally, as it requires significant shaping forces for actuation.
This paper presents an alternative design approach that involves strategically connecting compact-to-volumetric gridshell components using weaving principles to shape a thick segmented shell. This innovative approach allows for an incremental construction process based entirely on deployable modules with volumetric configurations that locally provide the necessary structural depth for the entire system. To demonstrate this principle, we present the realization of BamX, a research pavilion constructed using deployable cylindrical components made from raw bamboo slats. These components are interconnected at carefully optimized interlocking woven nodes, resulting in a bending-active structural frame that is both strong and exceptionally lightweight. To determine the optimal topology and geometry of the pavilion, we employ an integrative computational approach that leverages advanced numerical optimization techniques.
Our method incorporates a physics-based simulation of the bending and twisting behavior of the bamboo ribbons. By finding the ideal locations for ribbon crossings, we ensure that all external and internal forces are in global equilibrium while minimizing the mechanical stress experienced by each ribbon. BamX exemplifies how a symbiosis of refined weaving craft and advanced computational modeling enables fascinating new opportunities for rethinking deployability in architecture.
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