Structural Adaptation through Stiffness Tuning

• Main Authors: Arwin Hidding, Henriette Bier, Qinyu Wang, Patrick Teuffel, Gennaro Senatore
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: TU Delft Open 2019-07-01
• Series: Spool
• Subjects: structural adaptation,; adaptive design strategies; robotic printing
• Online Access: https://ojs-libaccp.tudelft.nl/index.php/spool/article/view/3892

Adaptive design strategies have been employed to improve structural performances in terms of load-bearing efficiency and energetic impact as well as to achieve multi-functionality. In this work, we investigate a passive adaptation strategy that employs variable stiffness in robotically printed materials. This paper focuses on the design and robotic fabrication of a chaise longue that can change shape to function as both recliner and chair depending on user requirements. The approach is unique in the way computational design is linked with robotic production. In this context, the design of the chaise longue is not limited to a formal process, but extends to the synthesis of the material distribution layout in order to achieve the intended functional behaviour.