A parametric design process of shell structures. Proposal for optimised strategies linking design and fabrication

This thesis addresses the development of design workflows related to shell structures, covering geometrical, structural and realization aspects. Such workflows are implemented in a parametric environment and they are described in a step-by step process in order to foster their application amongst students and professionals. The scope is to provide practical guidelines in the design of shell structure by means of parametric tools in order to promote its use within architecture practice. The work covers different aspects of the processes, starting from geometrical considerations, form-finding, planarization, structural analysis and optimisation by Genetic Algorithms. The primary scope of the design process is to allow the realization of the structures, developing strategies that can simplify this phase.