1. Model Geometry Summary
In this module I designed a sidewalk awning with the additional function of collecting photovoltaics and concentrated solar power. Here is a pic of my final design:
2. Modeling Approach
Step 0 I planned and sketched the design with the main ideas of taking advantage of the sine waves. In my design rainwater or snow can be collected and flow to the ground along the waves automatically. I plan to take the two sine waves as the controlling geometry, and take the ribs and panels as the adaptive components.
Step 1
Firstly, I create four base lines, in which two representing the side of the roads, and two for the sine waves.
Then I replaced the lines 2&3 with the sine curves. I changed the sine wave functions so that the two sine waves are in different directions to make the shape of "wave".
Step 2
Then I divided the defining curves into points for ribs, grouped the rib points, and then divided rib curves into replacements for panels. I used the number sliders here to easily adjust the number of ribs and number of panels per rib.
Step 3
Then I placed adaptive components for ribs and panels. Here I used “One Radius Uniform Tube” for ribs and “Rect_Panel with Resizable Opening - Solar Panel” for panels. The parametric change to the appearance of the panels I made here is the “opening” ratio on each panels.
Step 4
Lastly, I created simple patterns with panels by changing the color of panels into two groups. I divided them into odd and even groups, and then used Color.ByARGB to set different colors.
3. Programming and Parameters
Summarize the parameters that can be adjusted in my structure:
- the location (x,y,z values) of my four baselines (i.e. the length, width, and height of the structure)
- number of waves in the structure
- wave amplitude of the structure
- number of ribs
- number of panels on each rib
- family type of ribs
- family type of panels
- opening ratio of panels
- color of two groups of panels