Structural design and distributed fabrication of folded sandwich structures

该项目旨在开发一种新型的模块化结构形式，它保留了现有预制系统的流线型结构，但可以在非专业和低成本的制造工厂中快速制造。折叠式夹层结构是以折纸为灵感的工程设计新兴领域的一部分。本项目旨在对板壳建筑构件进行数值、实验和理论结构分析和优化。这样的系统将能够建立一个分散的本地制造网络，例如为受自然灾害影响的区域提供短期的基础设施需求。

This project intends to develop a new type of modular structural form that retains the streamlined construction of existing prefabricated systems, but can be rapidly fabricated in non-specialist and low-cost manufacturing plants. ‘Folded sandwich structures’ are part of the emerging field of origami-inspired engineering design. This project intends to conduct numerical, experimental and theoretical structural analysis and optimisation on plate and shell building components. Such a system would enable the establishment of a distributed local manufacturing network, for example to provide the short-term infrastructure needs of regions affected by natural disaster.