Precast concrete thin-shell skins: a smart computer tool for generating complex shapes

2019-04-28An empirical exploration of a precast concrete double-curved shell structure-skin divided into five panels, to be cast from a single mold was performed. The purpose of the structure is to serve as a shaded pavilion and restroom prototype for visitors to Joshua Tree National Park. A computer tool specifically designed to examine this problem was developed. Under a pre-defined concept, the tool allows the user to generate a double curved shell, as a sinclastic or anticlastic shape, and modify parameters including length, width, height, connection thickness with a variation from the center to the edges, shell thickness at the center tapering from the center to the edges, and allows to add a pattern to the interior face of the shell panels, always keeping the seam between panels even and keeping the relationship of the panels to the mold-geometry for casting them. The tool was tested and then it was provided to 4th year students from an architecture studio class at USC. The tool proved to be useful for: generating double curved shells in a short period of time, for describing complex geometry, gathering crucial data for its fabrication, transportation and installation, and for working as an educational tool