A parametric structural design tool for shell structures

This thesis presents a parametric design tool for structural analysis of shallow shells. The tool was developed with Rhino and Grasshopper. Also VB (Visual Basic) scripting was used to create new components in the Grasshopper interface. The techniques and methods involved for the development of the tool consists mainly of classic analytical and numerical methods like the finite difference method. In contrast to FEM (Finite Element Method) based analysis programs, the current tool offers more qualitative insight into the behaviour of shell structures which is often more important during a conceptual design stage. This is mainly because of the parametric and real time capabilities of the tool and the way in which it presents the results. The tool was tested on several test cases whereby the results were compared to analytical and FEM solutions and showed good correspondence. The results of the developed tool are sufficiently accurate for a conceptual design stage and give fast quantitative and qualitative insight into the behavior of shell structures. Still, several limitations are encountered, especially with respect to the boundary conditions, these provide opportunities for future research.Structural DesignBuilding EngineeringCivil Engineering and Geoscience