CONTENTS
Abstract 9
Introduction 21
1.1 Overview 21
1.2 Aim of research 22
1.3 Research questions 22
1.4 Objectives 22
1.5 Significance of research 22
1.6 Scope of work23
1.7 Limitations of the research23
Preliminary study 25
Overview: 26
2.2 Evolution of fabric as a formwork system 26
2.3 Material study: Fabric 29
2.4 Concrete and Reinforcement 31
2.5 Classification of Fabric formwork 33
2.6 Construction methods for fabric form-work 34
2.7 Advantages & Disadvantages 39
2.8 Case Studies of existing shape optimization computational analysis of fabric formed elements 40
2.9 Existing study on the strength of fabric formed column elements 42
2.10 Conclusions 43
Research Domain 45
3.1 Overview: 45
3.2 Computational Form-finding techniques: 46
3.3 Finite Element Analysis 48
3.4 Materialization 48
3.5 Limitations of the research 49
3.6 Research methodology 51
Experimental setup 55
4.1 Pilot study: Influence of shape on material efficiency 55
4.2 Experiments: To optimize a non-axially loaded Y-shape column material efficiency & strength 65
4.3 Experiments: To check the analytical method’s capability to generate varied forms 85
Experiment 10 (Span= 6m, Height =6m) 86
Experiment 11(Span= 9m, Height =9m) 88
Conclusions 91
Future scope 93
References 95
Appendix 98