Development of a sustainable construction system for temporary structures

Abstract

Non-static structures that can adapt their shape, or which can be quickly and easily deployed to perform their architectural function and removed afterwards without damaging sensitive sites, are well-equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly changing society which embraces the concept of sustainable design. Generally, mobile deployable structures are capable of transforming from a small, closed or stowed configuration to a much larger, open or deployed configuration. In architecture, the main applications are temporary lightweight structures such as emergency shelters or exhibition and recreational structures. For these purposes deployable scissor structures are most effective. They consist of beam elements connected by pivot joints, allowing them to be folded into a compact bundle for storage or transport. Subsequently, they are deployed, demonstrating a huge volume expansion. This process can be reversed, allowing reuse. In this paper an innovative kit-of-parts system is developed for deployable scissor structures. A new multi-configurational Universal Scissor Component (USC) is geometrically designed to create scissor structures in a generic way. The designed USC - single and unique - is used to compose different configurations. The structures can be disassembled and the USC can then be reconfigured, enabling reuse (cfr. the toy construction system Meccano). The component's uniformity favours mass-production, implying a cost benefit. Moreover, the diversity in possible structural forms invites multiple uses. © 2011 WIT Press.