Curved Glulam Architecture Design Optimisation For Low-Tech Construction: The Fabrication and Construction of KATENARA

Abstract

<p>This paper reports on the research findings from the fabrication and construction of "KATENARA" (弦閣), a prototypical, hyper-lightweight, wooden pavilion built in the Dongshi Forestry Cultural Park, Dongshi, Taiwan in November 2023. KATENARA uses a suspended roof structure system optimised for low-tech production from glue-laminated (glulam) timber. The pavilion’s geometry is based on near-catenary-shaped glulam beams that are evolutionary algorithmically optimised for manufacture from a single mould. Structures based on suspended beam geometries substantially reduce material needs when compared with those relying on straight beams, as catenary beams operate in pure tension throughout, avoiding inefficient neutral fibres along the centreline and removing risk of buckling. Yet, their manufacture from glulam typically requires costly bespoke individual hardware setups. Shape optimisation for fabrication efficiencies substantially increases the tectonic system's applicability, as it facilitates more affordable implementation in low-tec fabrication environment.<br></p>