Maximum flow networks for stability analysis of LEGO® structures

Abstract

To determine the stability of LEGO® structures is an interesting problem because the special binding mechanism prohibits the usage of methods of structural frame design or dynamic physics engines. We propose a new two-phase approach where instances of maximum-flow networks are constructed. In a first phase, the distribution of compressive and tensile forces is computed which is used in a second phase to model the moments within the structure. By solving the maximum-flow networks we can use the resulting flow as a sufficient criterion for the stability of the structure. The approach is demonstrated for two exemplary structures which outperform previous results using a multi-commodity flow network. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.