Form Finding Lab – Princeton University

Welcome

Our research focuses on the mechanics and design of slender large-span shells, membranes, and elastic rod networks under extreme loading and during construction. Our work concerns shape generation and analysis approaches for innovative lightweight structural systems that enable a resilient, and sustainable built environment. We focus on the advancement of theoretical and computational approaches to predict and design the overall properties, stability, and failure of these systems. If you think there might be a fit and you would like to work with me, please contact me to begin a conversation and include your CV and transcript many months in advance of application deadlines (sadriaen@princeton.edu). For more details about how to apply click here.

Prof. S. Adriaenssens
Associate Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Princeton University

PUBLICATION: shells and gridshells for long-span roofs

Structural Principles-Suitable Spans-Inspiring Works: all those things in the newly published DETAIL Manual of Structural Design. It even includes a chapter on shells and gridshells written by me -)

FPO: Tianju succesfully defends his doctoral work!

Congrats to Tianju for successfully defending his PhD dissertation on "Computational Modeling and Design of Mechanical Metamaterials: A Machine Learning Approach” today 5th January 2022!

NEW POST-DOC POSITION AVAILABLE

The Form Finding Lab in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Princeton University invites applications for a post-doctoral or more senior research position to support research on the mechanics and design of elastic rod network. The research will be conducted under the direction of Professor Sigrid Adriaenssens.

FUNDING: NSF HDR INSTITUTE FOR DATA-DRIVEN DYNAMICAL DESIGN

I am delighted to be part of the recently funded NSF HDR Institute for Data Driven Dynamical Design. This new $15 million interdisciplinary research institute aims to create new theoretically grounded and experimentally validated approaches and tools to design and discover dynamical materials and structures.

UCL PRESENTATION: FINDING FORMS

On Monday November 15th, I am presenting our work on large-span structures to the students of the Engineering and Architectural Design Program at University College London. Looking forward to it!

BARKOW-LEIBINGER STUDIO: Let’s talk Form Finding

Fragility, proportion, asymmetry, the hand/mind connection, the unplanned, evolution and being informed are recurring themes in the artist Stephen Talasnik and the Form Finding Lab work and research. A panel presentation and discussion at the Barkow-Leibinger Studio, Cornell University, 10th November 2021.

THE EDWARD AND MARY ALLEN LECTURE IN STRUCTURAL DESIGN: HARNESSING EXTRAORDINARY MECHANICS FOR STRUCTURAL DESIGN

Join me for the MIT Architecture | Fall 2021 Lecture Series: The Edward and Mary Allen Lecture in Structural Design. This lecture will be held in person in Huntington Hall, 10-250 at 6:00pm om Thursday 30 October and streamed online.

FPO: OLEK PRESENTS HIS DOCTORAL WORK !

On Friday 9/23/, Olek (Alexander) Niewiarowski defends his work on “Towards a conic programming implementation of tension field theory for the static analysis of pneumatic membrane structures” at 11am in Friend 006.

POST-DOC POSITION AVAILABLE

The Form Finding Lab in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Princeton University invites applications for a post-doctoral or more senior research position to support research on the robotic construction of discrete element systems. Read more here

AWARD: POINEERS’AWARD

I am humbled to have received the Pioneers' Award today amongst such prominent engineers. It has been a tradition of the Spatial Structures Research Centre of the University of Surrey, to recognise and honour those who have made significant contributions in the field of spatial structures.

AWARD: Architect’s Magazine R+D Award

The LightVault won the 2021 Architect’s Magazine R+D Award. This is what Juror Jane Grant said “The success of the installation shows the impact that robotic solutions can have on the construction industry—they’re not just stacking vertical walls, but also creating complex shapes.”

HONOR: VICE PRESIDENT INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SHELL AND SPATIAL STRUCTURES

I am humbled to have been elected as vice president to the International Association of Shell and Spatial Structures. This international Associations bring together researchers and practitioners working in the areas of lightweight structures and has included many prominent and inspirational structural designers and artists under its members including Felix Candela, Heinz Isler and Bill Baker. I

JOURNAL PUBLICATION: Mapped phase field method for brittle fracture

We developed a mapped phase field method for problems of brittle fracture.- T. Xue, S. Adriaenssens, S. Mao, 'Mapped phase field method for brittle fracture ', Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Publication Date: JULY 29 2021, DOI:10.1016/j.cma.2021.114046

AWARD: Structural Engineers Association of Illinois: Best Special Structure for the LightVault

Structural Engineers Association of Illinois (SEAOI) honored the LightVault as a winner in the Best Special Structures category! SEAOI's Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards competition takes place every year recognizing innovative achievements in structural engineering.

JOURNAL PUBLICATION: ILLUSTRATING MEMBRANE-DOMINATED REGIMES IN PRESSURIZED THIN SHELLS

We are on the cover of the Journal of the International Association of Shell and Spatial Structures! with our study that clarifies the consequences of membrane vs shell formulation choice for pressurized thin-walled structures. O. Niewiarowksi, R. Pauletti, S. Adriaenssens (2021), ‘Illustrating membrane-dominated regimes in pressurized thin shells’, DOI:10.20898/j.iass.2021.017

AWARD: MATTHIAS RIPPMANN PRIZE

For my "continuous scholarship and innovation at the intersection of architecture and structural design" I have been awarded the 2021 Matthias Rippman Prize, granted by DigitalFUTURES (Tongji University). I am grateful for this recognition of our work!