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Programmable Deployable Structures

Exploring the Potential of Mechanical Meta-Materials and Large-Scale 3D Printing for Fast Production and Assembly of Deployable Structures.

Student:

Mentors:

Pepijn Feijen

Mauro Overend

Gabriele Mirra

More information:

This thesis presents a computational method to transform curved surfaces into deployable structures using programmable mechanical metamaterials. The approach employs a rotating-polygon auxetic lattice, enabling the structure to flexibly transition from a flat, easily printable configuration into a stable deployed state. A dynamic-relaxation workflow, developed in Grasshopper/Kangaroo, automatically determines the dimensions and rotations required for accurate deployment. Physical prototypes were created to verify the method's effectiveness across various curvatures, confirming its adaptability. The key innovation lies in combining mechanical metamaterials with large-format additive manufacturing, making it possible to build larger, architecturally relevant structures. A case study featuring a deployable shelter for events demonstrates how the developed methodology optimizes structural performance and manufacturability. Structural analyses and prototype tests show the potential of this method.

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