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

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!

JOURNAL PUBLICATION: Three cooperative robotic fabrication methods for the scaffold-free construction of a masonry arch

I am happy that I can share with you the research that went into to the construction of the scaffold-free construction of the glass brick masonry LightVault E.G.P. Bruun, R. Pastrana, V. Paris, A. Pizzigoni, S. Parascho, S. Adriaenssens*|, (2021) ‘Cooperative Robotic Fabrication Methods for the Scaffold-Free Construction of a Masonry Arch’, Automation in Construction, Publication Date: JUNE 23

CHAPTER PUBLICATION: Shell structures for large span roofs

I am delighted to contribute to the German 1st edition of "Manual of Structural Design", published by DETAIL, May 2021. Stay tuned for the launch of the English Edition in 2022! S. Adriaenssens, ‘Leichte Konstruktionen für weitspannende Dächer, in Atlas Tragwerke (Manual of Structural Design), 1st ed. DETAIL Engineering, 2021.

GRADUATION: CONGRATS CLASS OF 2021 AND IN PARTICULAR JESSICA FLORES!

It has been a challenging year in so many ways and yet the class of 2021 has risen up to all these challenges. Congrats to this resilient and great class! In particular to my advisee, Jessica Flores for obtaining her Master of Science in Engineering. Jessica has pushed the limits of what we know about the mechanics of curved crease origami! Ave et Vale!

JOURNAL PUBLICATION: A new finite element level set reinitialization method based on the shifted boundary method

T. Xue, W. Ching Sun, S. Adriaenssens, Y. Weic, C. Liuc, 'An interface-preserving level set reinitialization method based on the shifted boundary method', Journal of Computational Physics, Publication Date: APRIL 16 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmps.2021.104459

JOURNAL PUBLICATION: Numerical modeling of static equilibria and bifurcations in bigons and bigon rings

Lace patterns in a 19th century book by the German architect Gottfried Semper, led to the discovery of a novel multi-stable, reconfigurable structures, suitable for soft robotics and wearable technology and a new computational approach to understand their mechanical behavior. doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2021.104459

OPINION: WHY CIVIL ENGINEERINGS STUDENTS SHOULD MAKE THINGS

In this month's American Society of Civil Engineer's Member Voices article, Joe Scanlan (Prof. Visual Arts at Princeton University) and I discuss the value of haptic learning for civil engineering students; why learning and working with their hands makes them better civil engineers.

REVIEW: Large-scale origami locks into place under pressure

S. Adriaenssens, ‘Large-scale origami locks into place under pressure’, Nature 592, 510 – 511 (2021). Publication Date: APRIL 21 2021, DOI: 10.1038/d41586-021-00971-7

PANEL: MATERIALS, BRIDGING ARTS AND ENGINEERING

I am excited to moderate a panel on "Bridging Arts and Engineering" in the Materials for Today and Tomorrow: A Princeton University Materials Science Symposium on Wednesday April 21st 2021. In this panel we explore this relationship and also wonder how our human sensuality and culture influence which new materials are successful..

PRESENTATION: Structural Forms in Architecture

I am delighted to speak in the Hearst Lecture Series at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo on April 7th 2021. In my lecture, I will focus on the design, optimization and realisation of structural forms for long-span shells, large-scale raised and submerged flexible net barriers, and adaptive building facades. Some of these systems are inspired by systems that have evolved in biology, art or craft.

PRESENTATION: TENSION-ONLY STRUCTURES – FEELING A LITTLE STRETCHED

I am delighted to present our research on tension-only structures to architecture and engineering students in Prof. Ochsendorf's Structures course at MIT. Our advances on the mechanics of suspended rope bridges, inflateable sea barriers and hanging networks will be discussed.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, women make up less than 30% of the world's researchers. Today, Thursday 11th February 2021, is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. A big shout out to all the women and girls changing the world through science!

HONOR: ASCE SEI FELLOW

It is with great joy that I can inform you that I have been named Fellow of the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineering). The SEI Fellow grade distinguishes members of ASCE as leaders and mentors in the profession.

EXHIBITION: Lace -HARNESSING LARGE DEFORMATIONS IN INTERLACED ELASTIC NETWORKS

How can art inspire engineering systems? We have been working with bobbin lace and textile artists to find out. Our work is exhibited at the 2021 Joint Mathematics Meetings, January 6-9 2021.