Methodology for stability assessment of discretised shell structures during robotic assembly

Timber structure design can reduce embodied carbon for large span systems, by reducing material usage. The work in this paper presents the assessment of wood panel shell structures, focusing on the use of traditional joinery styles to produce self-supported structures. Key design criteria are to minimise external scaffolding to reduce falsework waste, to allow dry stacking without adhesive between panels for de-construction, and to be manufactured and assembled using digital processes. Focusing on a particular shell geometry, selected for its theoretical performance, a procedure is outlined for the definition of integral joints between planar panels. By modelling deflection using the coupled rigid-block analysis (CRA), different joint styles are assessed during and post-assembly, to compare their suitability and demonstrate the mitigation of falsework. Panels are both 3D printed and built as stacked plywood, validating the utility of CRA and finding the effect of scale to demonstrate its use as a structural design tool for intermediate assembly stages.