Grid Shell Response

This seems like a continuation of the conversation on Monday. How do you fit program elements within such an irregular shape, and can you justify the enormous amount of "custom labor" involved? The make-a-mat-then-bend-it-into-shape method isn't all that interesting to me.
The fact that you can bend pieces into place, then based solely on the geometry of the structure, they maintain their form is worth pursuing. Especially from a labor standpoint. All the parts could be prefabed with numbered joints then assembled by almost anyone.

Link for Shell Structure Analysis

Here's a web-site concerning the Zoo Tower from an engineering point of view. Mark pointed out a few mysterious bits of info... http://www.lusas.com/case/civil/wooden_tower.html

interesting - is the model not correct, or did the top shift / change during construction? It is actually engineering analysis "finite element analysis" (FEA) that makes these structures viable.

Odd to see some errors in terminology too. Like referring to the structure as as "space truss." Also, it says the laths were factory formed and bent further on-site - is this true? The only thing that I have seen is that they were steamed on site.
I don't know the answer to the factory comment. Maybe someone will enlighten us.

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