Open Access

Gregory Quinn

• Elastic gridshells are celebrated for their striking biomimetic curves, long spans and efficient material usage. Constructed from a grid mechanism of slender beams, an elastic gridshell is assembled on a flat surface then repositioned into its final curved shape after which stabilising elements are added and the structure becomes a stiff load-bearing shell. While elastic gridshells are efficient in their built-state, the established methods with which to erect them (‘lift up’, ‘push up’ and ‘ease down’) are associated with substantial complexity, cost and time which inhibit their adoption. The central research question of this thesis asks whether elastic gridshells can be erected by means of pneumatic falsework (i.e. ‘inflate’), if so how and what would be the implications of doing so. The work presented in this thesis proves that the pneumatic erection of elastic gridshells is not only feasible but can offer many advantages (such as speed of erection, structural robustness and architectural qualities) over existing shelters forElastic gridshells are celebrated for their striking biomimetic curves, long spans and efficient material usage. Constructed from a grid mechanism of slender beams, an elastic gridshell is assembled on a flat surface then repositioned into its final curved shape after which stabilising elements are added and the structure becomes a stiff load-bearing shell. While elastic gridshells are efficient in their built-state, the established methods with which to erect them (‘lift up’, ‘push up’ and ‘ease down’) are associated with substantial complexity, cost and time which inhibit their adoption. The central research question of this thesis asks whether elastic gridshells can be erected by means of pneumatic falsework (i.e. ‘inflate’), if so how and what would be the implications of doing so. The work presented in this thesis proves that the pneumatic erection of elastic gridshells is not only feasible but can offer many advantages (such as speed of erection, structural robustness and architectural qualities) over existing shelters for humanitarian, event and architectural applications. A literature review is presented on the historical precedent for this novel method. The computational challenges of simulating the complex erection process are investigated in depth leading to the development of bespoke simulation methods based on the novel application of a projection-based dynamic relaxation solver. Case studies and a benchmark compare state-of-the-art finite element solvers based on both global and local stiffness revealing their quantitative and qualitative differences giving some indication as to the future of finite element modelling for the built environment in engineering, research and education. Innovative prototypes of augmented and virtual reality engineering tools for education are presented as wider reaching applications of the novel simulation method developed for this thesis. The simulation methods developed to answer the central research question deliver valuable findings relating to the scope of feasibility and the practical execution of the novel method including: suitable shapes and sizes of shells, ‘trigger’ pressures required, the function and importance of tethering cables during erection, development and detailed analysis of erection sequences and identification of material suitability and performance criteria. One small and two full-scale physical prototypes were built which validate the novel computational methods to a high level of precision, offer practical detailing solutions and demonstrate the architectural and humanitarian potential within the pneumatic erection of elastic gridshells.…