Environmental Engineering Reference
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optimised to perform a single type of movement (Sitte et al.
1991
). Furthermore,
the structures of the mostly sessile plants are often adapted for similar boundary
conditions such as those which affect the design of the architectural structures.
Once the objective is set the screening process can be carried out. In the
particular cases analysed in this chapter the biological role models which best meet
the
requirements
and
demonstrate
possible
solutions
for
potential
technical
implementation are gathered.
In order to narrow down the search parameters some screening criteria should
be further defined. For example, in the search for compliant mechanisms the focus
was placed on reversible elastic or visco-elastic deformations in plants. Plant
movements are based on many different motion principles, some of which only
occur in highly specialised plant groups like trapping mechanisms in carnivorous
plants or pollination mechanisms in the flowers of a specific plant family.
These optimised biological mechanical systems are promising concept gener-
ators for the design of elastic structures in architecture since they often combine
sensors and actuators within one mechanical system.
For the further analysis of the selected specimens it is helpful to build up a
phenomenological understanding of the underlying physical principles that are
involved in the observed mechanisms. Therefore, it can be a good approach to
apply even more stringent selection criteria in order to find examples with the
greatest potential regarding cost efficiency, energy and material solutions. Again,
in the context of compliant mechanisms, a precisely defined selection criterion can
be the prioritisation of research for systems with large bending radii, small actu-
ation and beneficial energy transmission, or an alternative freedom of movement
that can usually not be found in conventional rigid body mechanics.
The final step in this process is the abstraction of the role model into a bio-
inspired mechanism. This is probably the most difficult step in the transfer process
since it requires both scientific rigor as well as a high level of creativity. In order to
unveil the basic mechanical principles involved, one must study the functional-
morphological relationships in the biological role model very systematically. The
process of reduction and dissection are very helpful examples. Here, the func-
tionality of a mechanism in a specimen is tested by progressively cutting off all the
elements that seem to be unrelated to the mechanism. By following this approach,
one can narrow down the constituent parts that play a key role in the mechanism.
This is of particular importance because the knowledge about the basic building
blocks that are needed for a mechanism opens the door for their creative use. Then,
one can start to modify these building blocks, reconfigure them, or fine-tune and
optimise them in order to address various tasks.
This insight significantly broadens the design freedom and allows for concepts
beyond the direct mimicry of the natural system. A reinterpreting of the
mechanical principle and the development of novel kinetic systems can be fol-
lowed through, with the help of physical and digital models, for example. Upon
further analysis of the abstracted mechanical principle, the working process may
be opened up for reconfigurations and adaptations to meet the boundary conditions
given by a technical implementation.
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