A computational implementation of Vector-based 3D Graphic Statics (VGS) for interactive and real-time structural design

•The computational implementation of Vector-based Graphic Statics (VGS) produces an effective CAD-tool for the design of spatial structures in static equilibrium.•The presented framework automatically constructs 3-dimensional interdependent vector-based force and force diagrams.•The framework allows interdependent transformation of both diagrams as well as applying specific constraints.•It facilitates the collaboration between structural engineers and architects during the conceptual phase of the design process. This article presents a computational implementation for the Vector-based Graphic Statics (VGS) framework making it an effective CAD tool for the design of spatial structures in static equilibrium (VGS-tool). The paper introduces several key features that convert a purely theoretical graph and geometry based framework into a fully automated computational procedure, including the following new contributions: a general algorithm for constructing 3-dimensional interdependent force and force diagrams; the implementation of a procedure that allows the interdependent transformation of both diagrams; an approach to apply specific constraints to the computationally generated diagrams; the integration of the algorithms as a plug-in for a CAD environment (Grasshopper3D of Rhino3D). The main features of the proposed framework are highlighted with a design case study developed using the newly introduced CAD plug-in (namely the VGS-tool). This plugin uses synthetic-oriented and intuitive graphical representation to allow the user to design spatial structures in equilibrium as three-dimensional trusses. The goal is to facilitate collaboration between structural engineers and architects during the conceptual phase of the design process.