Biomimetic approach for the creation of a deployable structure based on the blooming of the Morning Glory flower

Fenci, GE; Currie, NGR; Weekes, L

Abstract

This research project proposes the design of a freestanding, biomimetically inspired, deployable canopy. Nature inspires the structure in terms of mechanism and shape, allowing for the creation of a lightweight, multifunctional, and efficient deployable awning. A review of the key features characterising deployable structures along with an in depth investigation into the biological world created the rationale for the modelling of a foldable structure inspired by the blooming of a Morning Glory flower (Ipomea Violacea). By providing controls for each of the degrees of freedom in the system with hydraulic rams, the geometry was frozen at set deployment stages and a time-stepped analysis was created based on pseudo-static principles, showing the structure at various stages of deployment. The freezing of the structure allowed a parametric investigation of the most suitable deployment sequence to minimise the deployment forces and associated quantities of steel.

Citation

Fenci, G., Currie, N., & Weekes, L. (2015, August). Biomimetic approach for the creation of a deployable structure based on the blooming of the Morning Glory flower. Presented at International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) Symposium 2015 : Future Visions, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS) Symposium 2015 : Future Visions
• Conference Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Start Date: Aug 17, 2015
• End Date: Aug 20, 2015
• Publication Date: Aug 20, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jun 1, 2018
• Publisher URL: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iass/piass/2015/00002015/00000006/art00009#expand/collapse
• Related Public URLs: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/iass/piass
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference