Designing compression structures by topological mapping

Congreso celebrado en la Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Sevilla desde el 24 hasta el 26 de junio de 2015. The Force Density Method has been traditionally employed to seek the equilibrium shape of tension structures. Recently, the use of a process based on topology has been introduced to provide a first network in which the Force Density Method can be applied. Compression-only structures such as vaults and domes can also be modelled by means of the former approach if this is modified to get a design process similar to the Gaudí’s one based on hanging models. The conjunction of Topological Mapping and the Forced Density Method is first explained in the form-finding process of tension structures and, later on, the modifications to that approach are introduced so that an iterative procedure is obtained to get equilibrium shapes of compression-only structures. The versatility of this novel approach is presented by means of the analysis of some representative examples.