Design of a curved-line bending mechanism inspired by skin wrinkles for elastic–kinetic structures in architecture. Issue 3 (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matini, Mohammad Reza; Haghnazar, Ramtin
• Is Part Of: International journal of space structures. Volume 33:Issue 3/4(2018)
• Page Start: 124
• Page End: 137
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: bending-active surfaces -- compliant mechanism -- curved-line bending -- curved-line folding -- elastic–kinetic structures -- skin wrinkles; Space frame structures -- Periodicals; Space (Architecture) -- Periodicals; Space (Architecture); Space frame structures; Periodicals; 624.177
• DOI: 10.1177/0266351118804954
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-0599

Abstract

The application of flexible materials for convertible structures in architecture and the use of bending deformation in these structures have been new topics in recent years. The importance of bending deformation is highlighted by reducing or removing the hinges or other movable joints which result in reducing the complexity of the structures and the maintenance costs. The lack of proper bending materials, the homogeneous deformation of the existing bendable surfaces and the need for folding to create some deformation mechanisms are the limitations of the work. This research provides solutions for these limitations by extracting deformation principles from skin wrinkles. The deformation principles of wrinkles are used to create specific patterns for a lattice hinge, which can compose a heterogeneous deformation in a bending-active surface. The patterns are enhanced by testing a number of physical models and computer-based simulations in different steps. Consequently, a particular type of a curved-line bending compliant mechanism is developed with the ability to reduce some of the deformation constraints, specifically the need to fold in an elastic–kinetic structure.