George Jerronimidis and Nikolaos Strathopoulos (both from Emtech, AA) explored the integrated morphologies of plants. In their studies they have discovered some links between the plants growing behavior and possible human made structures. The abstractisation of principles from nature for use in engineering is called biomimetics.
As a starting point they had the fact that evolution develops optimized, efficient strong structures. The general behavior of plants is complex and adaptive, through the different behaviors they have for dealing with gravitation and wind loads (such as different stem sections).
In nowadays engineering, redundancy is the opposite to efficiency. But redundancy is the primary evolutionary strategy (species which are not designed to survive just one environmental behavior, survive longer).
Based on a stochastic process, robust system that can persist through time are being created. Stochastic is the opposite to deterministic, which is a process that creates the same output from a given starting condition. Through the fact that the stochastic process never creates the same output it will preclude the standardization of components and members in architecture, design and engineering.
Generic patterns like triangle, polygon and spiral appear at a closer look. The main principle of bio self-organization is the fact that small, simple components arrange themselves in 3d patterns to form larger organizations, which themselves rearrange in larger structures. The system within system works as an hierarchical arrangement of semi-autonomous organization.
For analyzing these structures 3D models (with use of numerical methods and finite element approach, FEA) have been used in order to test the growth under stress. Another used method was the associative modeling software (Generative Components Software) from Bentley Systems.
Two of the plant structures they have analyzed were the ones of bamboo and palms. The discoveries they made were that the bamboo negotiates stress more efficiently than manmade structures with a minimum of materials and that the palm leafs are perfectly built to resist dynamic forces, through the fact that they deal with resonance through torsional stiffness. The bending energy is transformed into twisting energy.
The conclusion about redundancy and differentiation is that structural dynamics of all natural systems are complex and adaptive. The mechanical joint in engineered structures needs to be rethought and, if possible, eliminated. Anisotropy, a graduation of values between stiffness and elasticity along the length of the stem is useful for resisting dynamic unpredictable loadings.
Waterpavilion Beijing 2005
http://www.chrisbosse.de/projects/waterpavilion/web/h2.htm
Waterpavilion Beijing 2005
Chris Bosse - PTW Architects
http://www.chrisbosse.de/projects/waterpavilion/web/h8.htm
Waterpavilion Beijing 2005
Chris Bosse - PTW Architects
http://www.chrisbosse.de/projects/waterpavilion/web/h3.htm
Waterpavilion Beijing 2005
Chris Bosse - PTW Architects
http://www.chrisbosse.de/projects/waterpavilion/web/h1.htm
Waterpavilion Beijing 2005
Chris Bosse - PTW Architects
General Links:
Excerpt from:
WEINSTOCK, Michael
2006: “Self-Organisation and the Structural Dynamics” AD 76/2 = 180; p.26-33.
Summarized by: Tudor Cosmatu.
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