Connection system for gridshell structures using parametric modeling and digital fabrication

Lightweight structures in grid form made of elements joined together with nodes are called reticulated shells, or gridshells. We propose a new connection system and method for gridshell structures. The connection system applies to grids that have a high variability of curvature and connection parameters. The connection uses standardized hub geometries and interconnecting parts. The elements of the structure connect to the hubs through these interconnecting parts, which absorb varying parameters of the connection, such as incidence, twist, and adjacency angles, and the fabrication tolerance of element lengths and bolted connections. The aim is to provide a system that can be assembled quickly, disassembled and reused. We use parametric modeling environment to model global and local geometry of meshes and nodes. Inputs for the programmed parametric definition include a discretized surface, geometry of the hub notch, and element cross-sections; outputs include element lengths, interconnecting parts geometries, and assembly information. We present a physical model that serves as a proof of the concept developed within the computational modeling environment. Finally, we discuss the scalability of the model and future work.