Interlocking plates
Computational project, TH OWL 2022
Team: Heba Massoud
Softwares:
Rhino 3D
Python & Visual studio
Grasshopper
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The structure is based on the idea of an origami roof. We wanted to design a wooden roof that would not just be a pavilion, removable, but a structure that would really be able to stand the test of time. As we can see in this picture, the project sits on top of a train station and is located in the small town of Assen in the Netherland. We wanted to reinvent its structure. For thermal and sound insulation purposes, we decided to go for a double layers roof with a system of interlocking finger joints. The system works by group of 8 plates connected to other groups with small metallic elements supported by columns.
The python Program has for input the single surfaces created in Grasshopper and for output extruded double plates. It is designed for 90-degree angles. We have also worked on the program to accommodate other angles.
As we can see in the video, we worked first with planes and surfaces before extruding everything.
We divided the code into two class categories. One class deals with the generation of « tooth » or dovetail joints and the other class is about the creation of the plates. To achieve this result, we need to assign planes to surfaces.
We were then able to intersect two planes, that will then give us a line, that is subdivided (we can choose the number of teeth this way, their length, and their position also on the plate)
Then, the points are extended following the normal vector. Same principle applies when we want to extend a plate.
In the second class, what we can do is basically, extrude the plates, do the Boolean trim them, or offset.
We finally realized a conceptual model using CNC with wooden plates of 5 mm thickness.