Gregor Vilkner, Ph.D., Thornton Tomasetti, USA
Will Laufs, Dr. - Ing., IWE, LEED, Thornton Tomasetti, USA
Integrated Delivery Empowered by Computational Geometry
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The final geometry was slightly adjusted on the back edge, to allow
for 40 mullion lines on the back face vs. 34 on the two sides (E). With
the grid in place, assemblies such as rails and trusses could be
generated normal to the roof surface and at precise grid points (F).
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Detailing
(ACAD)
2-D Drawings
Virtual Model
(SAP, Mepla)
Analysis
(Sketches, ACAD)
3-D Geometry
(Tekla)
Pre-Assembly
B
D
B
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We would like to extend our gratitude to Leonid Zborovsky, principal
at Thornton Tomasetti in charge of the Federation Tower project. We
are further acknowledging the excellent work of our colleagues Brad
Malmsten, Boris Weinstein, and Mario Claussnitzer. Thanks to our
client, the Mirax Group for their continuing support and their
willingness to explore this unconventional roof design. Regards to
Sergey Tchoban and his team of architects for great team work and
superb collaboration on this exciting project.
Acknowledgements
and development of software programs to assist in structural formfinding and detailing that are integral to the design esthetic and visual
identity of spaces. Dr. Laufs believes an integrated design approach
comes from the unity of architecture and structural engineering. He
holds Dipl.-Ing. and Dr.-Ing. degrees from the University of RWTH
Aachen, Germany and has worked in Stuttgart, London, Bangkok,
New York and on projects on four continents.
A
Analysis models were created from either the CATIA or the Tekla
model using translation routines developed in-house. The images
below show a Mepla model for structural analysis of glass panes (A)
and a SAP model for analysis and design of the structural steel (B).
C
A
The images below illustrate the two model methodology explained
above. The CATIA and Tekla models are both used simultaneously
by scripts when content is generated. Vertical bow trusses that are
oriented normal to the surface of the sloping façade are shown in
their geometric development phase in CATIA (A), and in the physical
model (B). Similarly, rain gutters that were integrated with the roof
grid are shown in their geometric development (C), where a tube
extruded along a 3-D spline is intersected with the grid to find the
control points for the plate material that makes the physical gutter (D).
CNC-Based
Fabrication
(CATIA / DP)
Arch. Vision
Integrated Delivery
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All work related to the development of the roof cap geometry was
carried out in CATIA / DP. Because of the algorithmic work approach
all operations were scripted using VBA. Image (A) below shows the
correct roof edge and where vertical mullion lines force grid points of
the roof grid. Image (B) shows a paneling schema that produces
identical panels, but it does not yield to the edge geometry required.
Finally, various algorithms were studied that unroll the edge vertexes
into a plane, produce a grid utilizing master and slave curves in plan,
and map the points back into the curved surface (C + D).
Integrated Design
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On this poster we describe a project that applied computational
geometry techniques extensively to enable integrated project delivery
and allow the design team to achieve its objective for efficiency and
precision. We show how a geometric process is established and can
be leveraged, not only throughout conceptual design and form
finding, but further utilized for analysis, detailing, fabrication and
construction. The Federation Tower example illustrates benefits
achieved from early virtual prototype development, digital integration
of interdisciplinary design problems, CNC-based fabrication, modular
pre-assembly of components, and efficient installation in the field.
Dr. Wilfried Laufs is vice president at Thornton Tomasetti with
responsibility for specialty structures within the firm's building skin
practice. He focuses on the use of new materials, structural glass
elements, and challenging structures with complex geometries and
architectural building elements. His expertise includes the application
Construction
Sequencing
Geometric Design Development
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B
One of the options to install planar glass panels on our cylindrical
lattice is to use wedge-shaped aluminum members glued onto the
glass surface. As mentioned above, we developed options in 2-D (A
+ B) and tested them locally in the 3-D model (C + D).
C
Moscow International Business Center
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B
Moscow is undergoing an unprecedented
construction boom. Just outside the historic
center of the Russian capital, “Moscow-City”
grows on a gigantic site that takes up 1
square kilometer.
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A
The paneling of the roof surface was expected to yield to, maintain
and continue all three curved side-lines, as well as integrate with the
placement of the outer façade mullions. The goal was to produce an
aesthetically pleasing design that was also efficient in a way that can
be tied to performance metrics such as weight, cost, complexity, and
environmental performance.
Federation Tower Roof Cap
°
22.552
67643 hwight of centre of outline tower B
Erection
Although all glass panels and all members of the support structure
are geometrically unique, their forms follow similar development
rules. Designing any “typical” detail in 3-D allowed the generation of
parametric components that were then replicated throughout the
whole model. We developed a process that allowed us to work with
two models simultaneously. We used a CATIA model as a geometry
hub and carried out the physical modeling using VBA script in the
detailing software Tekla. This approach allowed us to utilize CATIA’s
superior geometry engine to automatically generate content in Tekla.
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E
Once detailing, fabrication, and erection enter the equation,
complexity reaches a new level. Although we used CATIA to deal
with the challenge of minimizing offsets of planar glass panels,
structural and façade details were first developed in 2-D and then
tested in the 3-D Tekla model – manually in selected locations first,
and automatically across the whole model later. The images below
show three approaches of aligning glass panels: bent (A), lowered at
top and bottom vertexes (B), and lowered only at bottom vertexes
(C). Initial concept details were modeled in CATIA (D + E), which
proved to be much less efficient then using detailing techniques
available in Tekla ( e.g. cuts, blends, placing of true 3-D objects.)
At 365m, Tower A of Federation Tower will be
Europe’s tallest building when completed in
2009. Primary construction of the smaller
Tower B was finished in early 2008. Both
towers feature at their tops uniquely shaped,
glazed roof structures.
The footprints of the twin-towers are
triangular with arc-shaped sides. Each
tower’s vertical envelope tapers as it
increases in height. The roof cap, or “Tower
Crown,” is the intersection of a cylindrical
surface with the slanted vertical part of the
building envelope. The cap for Tower A is
envisioned to be made of glass and steel, as
transparent and elegant as possible.
Initial Design
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The original design was developed entirely in 2-D. The images below
show the basic geometric assumptions for the form of the two towers
(A + B). The paneling gridlines for the Tower B roof cap run parallel to
the main directions of curvature (C). To allow development of an
alternate schema for Tower A mullion points were compiled from 2-D
plans into a single 3-D model (D + E). This approach allows smooth
continuation of vertical mullion lines into the roof surface.
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About the Authors
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Abstract
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Achieving innovative architectural vision increasingly relies on, and is
empowered by, computational geometry delivered through advanced
design software such as Rhino, CATIA or Generative Components.
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Dr. Vilkner, director of automation at Thornton Tomasetti, is
responsible for firm-wide research and strategic development related
to integrated structural design and building information modeling. His
versatile expertise includes work-flow integration through automation
and custom interoperability, advanced collaboration techniques, and
complex data structures. He has in-depth technical knowledge,
including data mining, problem modeling and knowledge exchange
through the APIs of Revit, Tekla, Digital Project, AutoCAD ADT,
Rhino, MS Project, Primavera, etc. Dr. Vilkner holds a Dipl.-Ing.
diploma from University of Rostock, Germany, and M. Phil. and Ph.D.
degrees from Columbia University, New York.
D
56225 height of centre of outline tower B