Compliant folding : design and fabrication methodology for bio-inspired kinetic folding mechanisms utilized by distinct flexible hinge zones

Abstract

Within the larger context of bio-inspired compliant mechanisms for architectural applications and adaptive building envelopes, this thesis aims for the establishment of a design and fabrication framework for bio-inspired compliant folding mechanisms, utilized by distinct flexible hinge-zones. This includes a methodological design approach, consisting of the abstraction and classification of biological folding mechanisms, as well as a sequential abstraction process of underlying working principles regarding kinetic behaviour, materialisation, and actuation strategies. Furthermore, the geometric adaptability and the design space of the established folding mechanisms has been evaluated, especially related to the applicability to different tessellation patterns for double curved surfaces. The insights built the basis for the development of a series of technical applications on a demonstrator level. The functional case studies serve not only as basis to test and evaluate the established design framework, but also to define, test and assess various fabrication and materialisation strategies, as well as actively controlled actuation principles. The first chapters provide a contextualisation of the topic within the larger architectural discourse and give an overview of the background which has influenced the presented research, including biomimetic architecture, compliant mechanisms and suitable materials. The section concludes with a presentation of current research challenges within the field of kinetic and adaptive building envelopes and introduces a series of sate of the art projects. Chapter three contains the publications about the development of the four demonstrator projects Flectofold, Flexafold, Arch(k)inetic and the ITECH Research Demonstrator 2018-19 and relevant investigations which built the basis for this thesis on the topic of bio-inspired compliant folding mechanisms. Chapter four and five conclude the thesis with a summary and critical reflection of the results, as well as the discussion of potential future developments within the topic of compliant mechanisms for adaptive building envelopes.