BLOGINITY

here is series of images of my model that have started to develop recently. i basically had to start from scratch this morning due to a file error, it has set me back significantly but i have managed to power through it (i'm saving more often now!). shit happens!

what you are seeing is the beginnings of a biomimetic rendition of

a venus fly trap. The structure will function as a natural composting intervention (process based) into regions of deforestation

and forest fire dissipation. In order to regenerate these baron fields, a mechanical structure will be injected into the landscape to initiate natural waste collection and composting. With respect to biomimicry and the venus fly trap, i decided to adopt the plant's systematic approach to the eating and digestive processes. The VFT is open constantly until an approaching insect (or smaller organism) gets caught in between two lobes that act as claws. the trapping method is instantaneous based on the connection to the 'hair-like' covered interior. as the lobes come together, the captured prey starts decomposing to provide nutrients to the plant.

therefore, the mechanical process of the steel structure will catch natural waste from the tree canopy above, collect it in a basin and generate compost to deposit into the adjacent dilapidated fields. The basin will be attached to the armatures via tension cables. As the basin becomes full,

the catching arms will then close to a point, allowing for the composting process to begin. it is essentially a counter weight system, that allows for the opening and closing of the structure.

in the above image an outline of the armatures start to take shape, a single hss circular holds these members via greased pin connection (allowing for a single axis rotation), and the composting basin sits beneath.

the base structure is established.

here is a closer look at the node connections converging onto the core HSS member

the top armature geometry has started to take shape, pin connections and pully details have yet to be realized.

perspective of the structural core

the bottom armature connection starts to emerge

another view.

an elevation showing the wire frame for the core connections. the larger circles denote pin connections (top one allows for rotation) and the smaller circles are connections for the pulleys embedded within the geometry. In order to pull up the arms, the pulleys change the direction of forces allowing for a counter-clockwise rotation for closing.

As of right now, i am currently catching up on all the work that was corrupted, my goal for tonight is to redo the armature geometry and the series of nodal pin/pully connections that will support the primary tension cables and the lateral support cables. once i get past that i will move towards the basin details and figure out the cable length for equilibrium and closed states.

Once the steel has been figured out, hopefully by tuesday night for rendering purposes (ps. the lab will probably be occupied by second years who have an assignment due thursday) ill design the inner membrane surface.

i thought this was a cool parody for my project