Analysis

The method of integrating structural information into the design loop includes material evaluation and characterization, structure system characterization, and multi-scale structural analysis. Multi-scale calibration plays an important role in the structural understanding of the project, especially with the use of naturally grown materials and innovative methods of stabilizing global geometry through interlocking patterns. Calibrations are done on the component scale and the ribbon scale. Physical testing on the cylinder prototype informs the global design with an accumulated stiffness of the components. This data largely simplifies the initial FE analysis into a strut-represented model for rapid iterations on global topology. Once accomplishing the global topology optimization, the characterized mechanical properties from material samples allow for a more sophisticated simulation of the detailed woven geometry.