form finding

Nowadays, many architectural works have created many problems in environmental, economic and functional dimensions due to the lack of proper design with the transfer of forces and harmony with nature. Therefore, in this research, active bent mesh shell structures are investigated because of their light weight and economic efficiency in terms of materials and easy installation, which is a better answer to the mentioned problems. Also, with the aim of using the bionic architecture approach, the starfish form is one of the types of natural forms with a symmetrical and arc-shaped structure, which can be considered as the optimal form in terms of statics and flexibility for finding the shape of the mesh shell structure. In this research By using computational architecture method, first all kinds of geometric patterns of starfish skeleton in Grasshopper modeling and then with the help of Kangaroo and Karamba simulation software the forces and the location of maximum stresses were checked and compared and finally with the help of Galapagus optimization software, one of the forms Optimum grid shells were obtained. As a result, it was determined that the number of arms of the starfish form, the number of paths and the cross-sectional area of the members were effective in the amount of displacement and maximum stresses, and finally, the form that is light weight, static and has better performance than other forms in terms of structural and architectural characteristics. It was chosen that it can be a suitable answer for creative and innovative design in the construction of active curved grid shells with wide openings by using nature.

Mutallib-khan mosque is an abandoned and derelic building in the city of Khoy, north-west of Iran. It was built in 1839 with intentions to Serve as a mosque, in which muslims say their prayers in congregation, and also as a tomb for the proprietor and patron of it, Mutallib-khan himself. But upon his unfortunate demise, the building remained incomplete, and the architect's work remained undone. without a dome or any kind of  roof  or closure for about two century, it has been susceptible to any and every kind of damage, ranging from natural predicament to mankind misuses and has always been desolated. The buildings interior space is completely open to the Element and therefore it is fair to say that it does not have an interior space with a quality that house an interior function. On the other hand the very exposure of the building has always been the abode to sun, and daylight has always been present, and this has brought a quality to the space for the past two centuries that has become the quintessence of the building: it's character. This article studies ways in which it is possible to rehabilitate the building through redefining an interior space. The framework of this studies is divided into four main sections. In the first section the building itself is studied from an architectural and historical point of view. Second section is dedicated to a comparison between two extremes in how to treat a classic building in rebuilding its dome. In the third and fourth section methods and approaches to designing a dome-like shell is studied, in the context of iranian domes and contemproray shells.  The outcome of these four sections is a generic proposal of a two layer transluscent dome with an interior geometry of a catenary arch, and an exterior shape of a Chamaneh arch that could be 3D printed directly on the building.

Topology optimization is among contemporary approaches introduced to connect Architecture and Structural Engineering through simultaneous form-finding of the Architecture and Structural design. It is among various optimizations methods in structural engineering, which has been recently adopted in the architectural design process due to its direct effect on the overall form of the structure. This research aims to outline the potentials of this method within the realm of the design process as a framework.

Given that this research is performed using Finite Element modelling, at first, the theoretical framework of TO within FE software is described briefly and practically. Further on, different examples of the application of this method for architectural design is introduced, and the procedure of utilizing the method within architectural design process by use of related software and algorithms is described.

Throughout the Architectural design with TO, the effect of the initial design decisions on the resulting forms becomes somewhat unclear; for this purpose, morphology diagrams have been provided for cases similar to the design problem to facilitate the initial decision making of the designer at the initial stages of the design. Morphology diagrams, describing the effect of parameters related to boundary conditions for similar cases, make the design process transparent.

in this paper, a well-defined framework of the TO process and the required information to apply this method in the architectural design process are presented, and its application in the case study of an urban pedestrian bridge is described.

The amazing behaviors observed in nature form attractive sources of inspiration for solving real-world problems. Swarm intelligence computations are very important among nature-inspired computations because they focus on the social behavior of centralized, self-organized systems. Swarm intelligence is inspired by the behavior of some animals or insects, such as ants, termites, birds, fish, and organisms. This is caused by sudden behaviors from local interactions between the particles themselves and forms intelligent behaviors at the group level. Robustness and resilience make swarm intelligence a successful design model for algorithms that deal with growing complex problems. Physarum Polycephalum is one of the organisms who’s intelligent, complex and social behavior of the particles that make up its food resources, and the construction of strong networks to achieve this goal, motivate the use of Physarum Polycephalum to solve challenging optimization problems in architecture and urbanism. The aim of this study is to try to further study and recognize the characteristics and efficiency of swarm intelligence algorithms, and to measure the ability of the Physarum optimization algorithm in dealing with the challenges posed in the problem area. In fact, this study aims to measure the ability and performance of the Physarum optimization algorithm in dealing with four parameters defined in the problem as an example of existing challenges, including faults, historic buildings, underpasses and bridges and intersections, to investigate in shaping the Tehran Urban Railway Network, in order to take an effective step in the field of functional and behavioral growth of the Physarum optimization algorithm. The research method in the present study is analytical-descriptive method and collecting materials based on library method and searching for some principles and rules governing natural phenomena, which have been studied with the help of software modeling, simulation and investigation. In the first part of this research, with the help of library studies, an attempt has been made to obtain a correct analysis and complete knowledge of swarm intelligence algorithms. It then evaluates the Physarum optimization algorithm as one of nature-inspired algorithms and collective intelligence in network formation. After examining the location of the mentioned parameters in relation to the existing network and Tehran metro stations, their boundaries are determined in the problem space to provide the conditions for formulation for the algorithm. In the next step, the Physarum optimization algorithm is introduced to formulate the problem space. As is clear (Map 2), this algorithm avoids obstacles and tries to find the best and most optimal way to reach the stations or defining points in the problem. Searching for problem space (Tehran city) by the algorithm continues to the extent that it makes sure to search the entire problem space and access all points. The findings and exit maps obtained from the Physarum pathfinding in the problem area indicate the correct identification of the defining barriers and the accurate and, of course, innovative formulation of the Tehran Urban Railway Network. Physarum's optimization algorithm has been able to accurately and without error perform network configuration with defined barriers.

Shell structures are among new and reliable structural systems in contemporary architecture with special characteristics such as gaining strength through form and interconnection with architecture form. They have attracted researchers once more in the present era from different aspects including stability, the new generation of shells and modern construction techniques. Therefore, because of their complicated behavior, the problem of finding and the process of determining their form have been obviously and specifically propounded and some solutions have been presented and applied to achieve the proper and optimal form. One of important these methods is the inverted hanging model. This method has been physically applied in finding compressive structures form for a long time since 17th century which was used firstly in arches, vaults and domes; and led to a variety and complex designs and It has become one of the methods to determine proper and various forms for shell due to its appropriation to the sell. The physical hanging model has been used in construction of various and many buildings some of which has been standing after too many years. Afterward the model has been formed and continued numerically because of its benefits, specifically due to its natural. Hence, it necessary to consider and recognize these methods for application, specifically those belong to the recent decades and form most of these approaches, in order to finding form and the related optimum form characteristics and suggesting better computational methods. Therefore, the purposes of the study are to find out the way of computational methods formation, based on the physical hanging model and the process of findings form in the methods; achieving optimal computational form’s characteristics; access to numerical methods’ features and determine the more proper solutions. In this regard we used descriptive- analysis and historical research methods to recognize the way of formation of all computational methods, based on the physical model methods, aiming at answering the goals of finding structural form as well as finding more proper ways to be applied currently. Hence, the shell structure's characteristics which should be considered in designing are extracted and determined from their definitions. Then, the issue of "finding the structural form" is assessed, because its definition and application is in sell structures, and different methods of finding their forms and their being targeted determine the methods are related to the reverse hanging model. Thereafter, the problem of "physical hanging model in finding the shell form" is considered to recognize the hanging model theory, applied materials, purpose of hanging model, process and effective factors in achieving the form as well as the method and way of such model making. The main point is the computational hanging model methods in inding the shell's form that concentrates on the attempts to respond the research questions in the recent decade. Finally, we should conclude based on the reviews and analyses. Data collection instruments were library and internet sources. According to the finding of the study, the process of finding the form in computational method based on the physical methods is as following: The need for each step in physical form process is assessed during the numerical form process and their equivalents are considered through computed methods. In these methods, at the beginning of the process, also some assumptions and variables are determined in theory language, quantitatively and more precisely. The way of simulating external load, materials and bordering conditions are also revealed in the methods. The way of simulating the hanging model is also using theoretical methods and the way of converting cable into the arch remains unchanged, but it obviously differs from the physical method. The achieved form is the optimum primary form of the shell. To fix the form, some cases are tested based on a few methods including. "comparison with shells made by famous people, in reality and in real scale", "determining the allowed limits of the main parameters in the method and the relations based on the limits", "determination of the allowed limits of important variables and their situation as well as other involving variables and then comparison with the results of the physical structure of the method" in two areas of "theory or theory and practice" and "real and practical". In this way, the process of form finding is done. The characteristics of the resulted optimal shape using the numerical methods are such as having the maximum rigidity or minimum bending, membrane behavior, the minimum energy, complexity and diversity shapes, and etc. Although computational methods are more accurate but the most characters of optimal computational form are the same as physical method and some characters such as minimal total energy and optimistic displacement are added. Forms may also have such characteristics and the methods acquire new characteristics of the forms could be existed. Most of the results achieved using various methods are the same. All methods are reliable for application except methods no. 3 and 1 and half of method no. 5.