ETH Zürich  |  DARCH  |  ITA  |  Structural Design  |  DOCTORAL THESES  |  DISCRETE ANALYSIS IN DESIGN 
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Diskrete Analyse als Entwurfswerkzeug
T. Kohlhammer
2009 - 2013


Reciprocal Frame Systems

Discrete Analysis is a method that is suitable for structural analysis of planar and spatial surface structures consisting of bar-shaped elements. Examples are on the one hand grid systems in which all bars are connected at their ends, and on the other hand reciprocal frame systems in which the ends of bars are connected to any other point on bars. Both structures have hinged joints in a static sense, while the former also results in a hinged overall structure and the latter produces a rigid one. The use of suchlike structures is worthwhile, because they make it possible, with short components, to span an area that measures a multiple of the element sizes. Further advantages are that the elements are similar or even identical, that they can be transported easily and built without heavy equipment. Discrete Analysis develops the internal forces of the overall structure from the structural behaviour of the bar elements and their systemic interaction. Its methodology is based on the behaviour of reciprocal frame systems. The approach of the method is the formulation of equilibrium in the subsystems of individual bars, which is continued iteratively. From the nodal forces the internal forces of the bars are determined. With variation of the node distances the transition to other lattice systems can be created, for example a grid system with all bars connected at their ends or the Zollinger system. This provides a parametric method to determine the internal forces in many types of bar-shaped surface structures.

last modified 30.10.2015