Designing unreinforced masonry models

Abstract

We present a complete design pipeline that allows non-expert users to design and analyze masonry structures without any structural knowledge. We optimize the force layouts both geometrically and topologically, finding a self-supported structure that is as close as possible to a given target surface. The generated structures are tessellated into hexagonal blocks with a pattern that prevents sliding failure. The models can be used in physically plausible virtual environments or 3D printed and assembled without reinforcements.

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Index Terms

• Computing methodologies

  • Computer graphics

    • Animation

      • Physical simulation

    • Shape modeling

• Mathematics of computing

  • Continuous mathematics

    • Topology

      • Geometric topology