Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 June 2025
While the L-system approach introduced in the previous chapter exhibits potential for topology optimization applications, the modeling power of the turtle graphics interpretation is severely limited due to its reliance on limited parameters and its inability to guarantee the deliberate formation of load paths. Based on these characteristics, this chapter introduces a graph-based interpretation approach known as Spatial Interpretation for the Development of Reconfigurable Structures (SPIDRS) that uses principles of graph theory to allow an edge-constructing agent to introduce deliberate topological modifications. Furthermore, SPIDRS operates using instructions generated by a parametric L-system, which enhances modeling power and affords greater design freedom. This approach can also be extended to consider a three-dimensional structural design domain. It will be demonstrated that this interpretation approach results in configurations comparable to known optimal/ideal solutions as well as those found using conventional topology optimization methods, especially when coupled with a sizing optimization scheme to determine optimal structural member thicknesses.
To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.
Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.
Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.
To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.