This is a standalone application for exploring the Force Density Method (FDM) with a regular grid structure. It is written in Java using the Processing API for graphic elements, geometry, rendering, and GUI. This application solves a grid with 36 nodes, 25 faces and 60 edges.
The FDM method implemented here follows the description of the method in: Klaus Linkwitz (2014) "Force Density Method," Ch.6 in S. Adriaenssens, P. Block, D. Veenendaal, & C. Williams. Shell Structures for Architecture: Form Finding and Optimization.
For more information on the internal computational abstractions and details of this implementation, please read the accompanying writeup called InteractOptimGridShells.pdf. The PDF file also explains how to implement Dynamic Form-Finding with Particle-Spring Systems (PSS), a method common in a variety of form-finding scenarios, including simulation of the motion of fabrics in computer graphics.
Dependencies: JAMA matrix package, ControlP5, toxiclibs, peasycam, Java Utility Functions.
This application was developed in the Spring semester of 2015 by Alexandros Haridis, in the Digital Structures Group led by Prof. Caitlin Mueller at the MIT Department of Architecture.