@article { , title = {Form finding and structural analysis of actively bent timber grid shells}, abstract = {Grid shells are efficient structural systems covering large open spaces with relatively small amount of materials. Also, post forming techniques allow realization of geometrically complex (free-form) shapes by means of standard connection systems. However, due to complexity of the analysis–design process, they are rarely utilized in construction design. In this paper, a ‘facilitating’ numerical framework is introduced in which, for a given continuous reference shape, a geometrically similar discrete model is found by implementation of a six degree of freedom formulation of the Dynamic Relaxation method, to handle members bending and torsional stiffness. A grid cutting pattern algorithm is introduced, as well as methods to numerically simulate the double-layer construction technique and a novel (single-node) cylindrical joint model. The methods are extensively tested and validated on a range of structures, from ‘simple’ single-rod cases to more complex, actively bent, grid shell frameworks.}, doi = {10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.09.043}, issn = {0141-0296}, note = {Note: Available online 13 October 2014: Full text restricted due to publisher policy - http://www.elsevier.com/\_\_data/assets/pdf\_file/0018/121293/external-embargo-list.pdf School: sch\_eng}, pages = {195-207}, publicationstatus = {Published}, publisher = {Elsevier}, url = {http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/7252}, volume = {81}, keyword = {690.1 Structural elements, TH Building construction, Form finding, Grid shell, Timber structure, Active bending, Dynamic Relaxation, Cylindrical joint, Velocity Verlet, Newton Raphson, Non-linear analysis, Mesh data structure}, year = {2014}, author = {D’Amico, B. and Kermani, A. and Zhang, H.} }