Factors Affecting Sizes of Paneling for Generative Design

Recently, landmark buildings requiring geometric understanding are increasingly being built. Such research area called Architectural Geometry contains many challenges or opportunities for optimizations. Free-form construction... [ view full abstract ]

Recently, landmark buildings requiring geometric understanding are increasingly being built. Such research area called Architectural Geometry contains many challenges or opportunities for optimizations. Free-form construction requires a feasible and affordable means of production to realize a geometric complex design at a reasonable cost. This means is called rationalization and related to paneling or panelization which is the process of dividing a free-form surface into manageable sized panels. Usually, free-form surfaces are made with straight members and flat panels due to high costs of curved elements. The best way of rationalization is dividing a free-form surface into the same sized flat panels with meeting the design requirements and using single and double-curved panels less. These requirements and cost are mostly affected by some aspects, specially paneling sizes, but it has not been studied in-depth.

The ultimate purpose of this research is to find a more efficient way for the successful paneling of free-form surfaces by integrating generative design (or modeling) and 3D printing technology. Generative design is an algorithmic process from which various potential design solutions can be generated automatically with clearly defined design goals and using parameters. Paneling size is one of parameters and is affected by some factors such as the limitations of design criteria, transportation, and 3D printing. In this paper, such factors are identified and analyzed through literature reviews.