C1. Dynamic Relaxation
Iterative dynamic equilibrium
The Dynamic Relaxation algorithm is an iterative solver procedure based on the equations of dynamic equilibrium at each iteration step. As a general solver, the method was first developed in 1960 for tidal wave analysis. For its application in static architectural structures, the method was adapted by Michael R. Barnes (1977). A concise summary of the adjusted algorithm is given here: Barnes, M.R., 1999. Form finding and analysis of tension structures by dynamic relaxation. International journal of space structures, 14(2), pp.89-104.
and further explained for the application of form finding a strained gridshell here:
Sigrid Adriaenssens, Mike Barnes, Richard Harris and Chris Williams: Design of a Strained timber Shell, Adriaenssens, S., Block, P., Veenendaal, D. and Williams, C. eds., 2014. Shell structures for architecture: form finding and optimization. Routledge. Dynamic relaxation is only one of many form-finding methods. It has the advantage of being physically intuitive, as well as providing some insight in the structural (static, dynamic) behaviour of the structure in its final state.
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