The impact of force:length ratio patterns on buckling resistance of shell structures

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of force:length ratio patterns (q-patterns) on the buckling resistance of form-found shell structures by using the force density method and topological mapping. A novel approach for adjusting force:length ratio patterns to create ribs or corrugations was introduced, enabling the structural geometry to be optimized for improved stiffness and stability. Ten structures, with different q-patterns and two types of boundary conditions (four fixed supports and a fixed contour), were analyzed with finite element simulations of linear buckling using Abaqus software. The results show that efficient q-patterns can improve buckling resistance even in low-rise shells, reducing the need for taller structures. These findings suggest that by optimizing the shell geometry with q-patterns, it is possible to design lightweight, efficient structures, which can lead to savings on materials and the simplification of construction processes.