Name | Prof. Dr. Philippe Block |
Field | Architecture and Structure |
Address | Professur Architektur und Tragwerk ETH Zürich, HIB E 45 Stefano-Franscini-Platz 1 8093 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
Telephone | +41 44 633 68 44 |
block@arch.ethz.ch | |
URL | http://block.arch.ethz.ch |
Department | Architecture |
Relationship | Full Professor |
Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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052-0603-00L | Structural Design I | 2 credits | 3G | P. Block | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Abstract | The courses Structural Design I and II explain the fundamentals of how structures function. These courses put great emphasis on studying the relationship between the form of a structure and the internal forces within it by means of graphic statics. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning objective | At the end of the courses Structural Design I and II, students will be able to: 1. visualize the internal forces within structural elements. 2. understand the relationship between the form of a structure and the internal forces within it. 3. modify the design of a structure in order to improve it. 4. identify the most important structural typologies. 5. use graphic statics for the form-finding and analysis of structures. 6. carry out basic dimensioning of structural elements. 7. respond to structural problems in a creative manner. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Content | Structural Design I: - Fundamentals of static equilibrium - Introduction to graphic statics - Basic dimensioning of structural elements - Cables and stiffening schemes of cables - Arches and stiffening schemes of arches - Arch-cables structures Structural Design II: - Trusses - Beams - Frames - Plates - Buckling of compression elements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Literature | "The art of structures, Introduction to the functioning of structures in architecture" (Aurelio Muttoni, EPFL Press, 2011, ISBN-13: 978-0415610292, ISBN-10: 041561029X) "Faustformel Tragwerksentwurf" (Philippe Block, Christoph Gengangel, Stefan Peters, DVA Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt 2013, ISBN: 978-3-421-03904-0) "Form and Forces: Designing Efficient, Expressive Structures" (Edward Allen, Waclaw Zalewski, October 2009, ISBN: 978-0-470-17465-4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Competencies![]() |
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063-0605-23L | Computational Structural Design I ![]() To participate in this course it is recommended that the student has previously taken the courses Tragwerksentwurf I-IV. | 3 credits | 3G | L. Enrique Monzo, P. Block | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Abstract | This course presents the potentials of combining graphic statics with computational tools. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning objective | By the end of the course, students should be able to do the following: - Use graphic statics for the form finding and analysis of structures. - Understand the goal and structure of an algorithm. - Create algorithms based on graphic statics to explore equilibrium systems. - Explain the potential of studying graphic statics models using computational tools. - Use Interactive Graphic Statics (IGS2) for the analysis, form finding and design of 2D structures. - Apply computational graphic statics in design contexts. - Basic use of Rhinoceros and Grasshopper. - Demonstrate elementary skills in Python scripting. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Content | This course presents new structural design opportunities that emerge when graphic statics, an intuitive equilibrium-based method for the form-finding, analysis and design of structures, is combined with computational tools. After a review of graphic statics fundamentals and an introduction to basic parametric tools, the course focuses on studying different computational approaches to program graphic statics algorithms for the form-finding and analysis of structures, from linear (procedural) algorithms to programs with more complex data structures. More specifically, the students will create graphic statics interactive drawings using Grasshopper, read and code basic graphic statics algorithms using Python, and explore the design space offered by Interactive Graphic Statics (IGS2), a tool developed by the Block Research Group for the analysis, form-finding and design of 2D equilibrium structural systems. The practical potential and relevance of these methods will be demonstrated through various design-oriented tutorials and exercises. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Literature | "Skript Tragwerksentwurf I&II" http://www.block.arch.ethz.ch/eq/course/4?lang=en "Faustformel Tragwerksentwurf" (Philippe Block, Christoph Gengangel, Stefan Peters, DVA Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt 2013, ISBN: 978-3-421-03904-0) "The art of structures, Introduction to the functioning of structures in architecture" (Aurelio Muttoni, EPFL Press, 2011, ISBN-13: 978-0415610292, ISBN-10: 041561029X) "Form and Forces: Designing Efficient, Expressive Structures" (Edward Allen, Waclaw Zalewski, October 2009, ISBN: 978-0-470-17465-4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prerequisites / Notice | ITA Pool - information event on the courses offered at the institute ITA: Wednesday 7th September 2022, 10-11 h: Room: HIB Open Space 2 (HIB E52) or online. Zoom link: https://ethz.zoom.us/j/6684810727 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Competencies![]() |
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064-0025-23L | Introduction to Computational Research in Architecture, Engineering, Fabrication and Construction ![]() Does not take place this semester. | 2 credits | 3K | P. Block | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Abstract | The PhD-level course (primarily for A&T PhDs) will introduce computational methods for architecture, engineering, fabrication & construction, incentivising computational literacy. Students learn the theoretical background and basic implementation details of fundamental data structures and algorithms, and to solve realworld problems using the COMPAS framework and other open-source libraries. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning objective | Understand the scope and relevance of computational methods for architecture and engineering research and practice, ii) the theoretical background of fundamental data structures, iii) the basic principles of algorithmic design; iv) implement basic versions of prevalent algorithms related to architectural geometry, structural design, robotic assembly, volumetric modeling & 3D printing, high-performance computation; v) use sophisticated algorithms available through open-source libraries to solve real-world problems; and, vi) use common CAD tools as interfaces to self-implemented solutions. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Content | Course consists of a few lectures, several tutorials and project-based exercises. Topics include: - intro Python programming - intro COMPAS open-source framework (https://compas-ev.github.io - intro to geometry processing, data structures, topology, numerical computation - domain-specific case studies (e.g. on architectural geometry, structural design, robotic assembly, volumetric modeling & 3D printing, high-performance computation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prerequisites / Notice | Priority is given to PhD students. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101-0123-00L | Structural Design ![]() | 3 credits | 2G | J. Pauli, F. Bertagna, P. Block, D. Tanadini | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Abstract | The goal of the course is to introduce the civil engineering students to Structural Design, which is regarded as a discipline that relates structural behavior, construction technologies and architectural concepts. The course encourages the students to understand the relationship between the form of a structure and the forces within it by promoting the development of designed projects. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning objective | After successfully completing this course the students will able to: 1. Critically question structural design concepts of historical and contemporary references 2. Use graphic statics and strut-and-tie models based on the Theory of Plasticity to describe the load bearing behavior of structures 3. Understand different construction technologies and have an awareness of their potential for structural design 4. Use contemporary digital tools for the design of structures in equilibrium 5. Design an appropriate structural system for a given design task taking into account architectural considerations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Content | The goal of the course is to introduce the civil engineering students to Structural Design, which is understood as a discipline that relates structural behavior, construction technologies and architectural concepts. Hence, the course encourages the students to develop an intuitive understanding of the relationship between the form of a structure and the forces within it by promoting the development of designed projects, in which the static and architectural aspects come together. The course is structured in two main parts, each developed in half of a semester: a mainly theoretical one (including the teaching of graphic statics) and a mainly applied one (focused on the development of a design project by the students using digital form-finding tools). Theory: Graphic statics is a graphical method developed by Prof. Karl Culmann and firstly published in 1864 at ETH Zurich. In this approach to structural analysis and design, geometric construction techniques are used to visualize the relation between the geometry of a structure and the forces acting in and on it, represented by geometrically dependent form and force diagrams. The course will firstly review the main principles of graphic statics through a series of frontal lectures and discuss the relationship to analytical statics. Graphic statics is then used as an operative tool to design structures in equilibrium based on the lower bound theorem of the Theory of Plasticity. Additionally, the course will introduce contemporary methodologies and tools (parametric CAD software) for the interactive application of equilibrium modelling in the form of short workshops. The students will familiarize with the topic by solving exercises and confronting themselves with simple design tasks. Design Project: Specific structural design approaches and design methodologies based on graphic statics and references from construction history will be introduced to the students by means of seminars and workshops. By developing a design project, the students will apply these concepts and techniques in order to become proficient with open design tasks (such as the design of a bridge, a large span hall or a tower). At the end of the semester, the students present their projects to a jury of internal and external critics in a final review. The main criterion of evaluation is the students' ability to integrate architectural considerations into their structural design. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Literature | "Faustformel Tragwerksentwurf" (Philippe Block, Christoph Gengangel, Stefan Peters, DVA Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt 2015, ISBN 978-3-421-04012-1) "Form and Forces: Designing Efficient, Expressive Structures" (Edward Allen, Waclaw Zalewski, October 2009, ISBN: 978-0-470-17465-4) "The art of structures, Introduction to the functioning of structures in architecture" (Aurelio Muttoni, EPFL Press, 2011, ISBN-13: 978-0415610292, ISBN-10: 041561029X) |