Straight Support Elements for Curved Building Envelopes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support structures for curved enveloping geometries in buildings face challenges such as material restrictions, high construction costs, and complex data processing due to the use of individual curved surface elements, which lead to aesthetic and structural issues, particularly with torsion in node areas and multi-layer constructions.

Innovation Solution

A support structure composed of quadrilateral or hexagonal network elements with straight longitudinal axes and 0° torsion angle, allowing for parallel displacement and enabling a multi-layer construction without torsion, thereby simplifying assembly and reducing material usage and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If curved surface elements are used to approximate free-form surfaces, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but material restrictions and construction complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearance of free-form surfaceVSAvoidconstruction complexity and material restrictions

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous free-form surface is segmented into discrete planar surface elements arranged in a network of N-corners. Each surface element is flat rather than curved, eliminating material deformation requirements while collectively approximating the desired free-form shape through their spatial arrangement and orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using curved surface elements to achieve the free-form shape, the invention uses planar elements with carefully controlled orientations. The curvature effect is achieved through the arrangement and angulation of flat elements rather than through actual curved geometry, simplifying material requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Shape

If thermal deformation is used to create curved surface elements, then the desired surface shape is achieved, but fire resistance and shape retention deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurved surface shapeVSAvoidfire resistance and shape retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of deforming the material to achieve curvature (thermal deformation of Plexiglas), the invention inverts the approach by using undeformed planar elements whose collective arrangement creates the curved appearance. This eliminates the need for thermal processing and associated fire safety issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses standard planar materials without special deformability requirements, replacing expensive specialized materials like thermally deformable Plexiglas that require additional fire-resistant layers and have poor fire properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a multi-layer structure is implemented with curved free-form surfaces, then building infrastructure can be accommodated, but insertion complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of building infrastructureVSAvoidinsertion complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The building envelope is segmented into multiple planar layers that can be independently positioned and assembled. Each layer consists of flat surface elements that are easier to manufacture and install than curved equivalents, reducing insertion complexity while maintaining the capability to accommodate infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If point cloud data is used to describe free-form surfaces, then the surface geometry is accurately represented, but data processing and exchange complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface geometry accuracyVSAvoiddata processing and exchange complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous surface geometry is segmented into discrete planar elements with defined vertices and edges. This segmentation transforms the data structure from dense point clouds into organized geometric definitions of polygons, reducing data volume and simplifying exchange between architectural and structural planning systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2029822B1Supporting structure for freeform surfaces in buildings

Publication Date: 2009.10.14 RFR

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Figure 3~4

AI summary

Supporting structure (8) for curved envelope geometries in buildings consisting of support elements (4) which are each combined to form N-sided polygons (N=3,4,...) which span the envelope geometry and which each enclose a planar surface element (5), and the support elements (4) of adjacent N-sided polygons each form a common node region (3) in which the support elements (4) abut, and the plane of a surface element (5) and the respective planes of the surface elements (5) of two N-sided polygons which adjoin in non-parallel spatial directions lie in different planes in at least one portion of the envelope geometry. According to the invention, the support elements (4) in this portion each form 4- or 6-sided polygons, and the support elements (4) each have a longitudinal axis (L) which extends in a straight line between in each case two node regions (3) and runs parallel to the imaginary intersection line of the surface element planes associated with said portion, wherein the cross section of the support elements (4) normal to their longitudinal axis in each case has a relative twist angle of 0° along the entire longitudinal axis of the support element (4).