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063-0605-00L 2 Credits MSC D-ARCH
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Computational Structural Design I

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Philippe Block, Dr. Lluis Enrique Monzo, Dr. Juney Lee
Examiners: Prof. Dr. Philippe Block, Dr. Juney Lee
This course replaces the former course "Structural Design V". Limited to 60 students. To participate in this course it is recommended that the student has previously taken the courses Tragwerksentwurf I-IV. ITA Pool Introduction Event: Information on courses offered by the Institute ITA: 7.9.20, 10-11 h, HIB Open Space.
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Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:36:00

Abstract

This course shows the potential of combining graphic statics with computational tools.

Objective

At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to: 1. understand the fundamental principles of graphic statics. 2. demonstrate basic parametric thinking and modelling. 3. construct interactive graphic statics drawings using Rhino and Grasshopper. 4. develop topological thinking by using the datastructures of the COMPAS framework. 5. analyse trusses using Algebraic Graph Statics (AGS). 6. design, form find and analyse funicular shell structures using Thrust Network Analysis and RhinoVAULT 2 (RV2). 7. design, form find and analyse spatial structures using 3D Graphic Statics (3GS). 8. explore force-driven design methods using computational graphic statics.

Content

After a review of graphic statics fundamentals and an introduction to basic parametric tools, the course focuses on exploiting the user’s ability to interact with form and force diagrams within a computational environment with real-time visual feedback, in order to explore new structural design methods that are simply not possible with conventional tools. The practical potential and relevance of these new methods will be demonstrated through various design-oriented tutorials and exercises.

Resources

Lecture Notes

on eQuilibrium"Skript Tragwerksentwurf I/II"http://www.block.arch.ethz.ch/eq/course/4?lang=enPrinted versions can be bought at the chair of Structural Design Prof. Schwartz.

Literature

"The art of structures, Introduction to the functioning of structures in architecture" (Aurelio Muttoni, EPFL Press, 2011, ISBN-13: 978-0415610292, ISBN-10: 041561029X) "Faustformel Tragwerksentwurf" (Philippe Block, Christoph Gengangel, Stefan Peters, DVA Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt 2013, ISBN: 978-3-421-03904-0) "Form and Forces: Designing Efficient, Expressive Structures" (Edward Allen, Waclaw Zalewski, October 2009, ISBN: 978-0-470-17465-4)

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Registration & Places

Max Places
60

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Computational Structural Design I
No course on 23.10. (seminar week) and 11th and 18th December 2020 (before final critics). Teaching Languages: English and German This course replaces the former course "Structurel Design V"! ITA Pool Introduction Event: Information on courses offered by the Institute ITA: 7.9.20, 10-11 h, HIB Open Space. For MScARCH students only.
  • Fri 09:45-12:30 (HPH G 3)
3 h weekly

Offered In