Development of a tool to support the design

and the manufacturing of the reciprocal

floors using reclaimed timber
students:
João Hernandes | Mathis Riga
tutor:
Victor Frechard
December 20th, 2023
01 Reciprocal
frames (RF)

1
The basics of RF
● Basic premise: Reaching long spans with short
timber beam
● Formal definition: Mutually supporting sloping
beams placed in a closed circuit - Larsen, O. P.
(2008)
● Inner ends supported by adjacent beams, outer
ends by external structural element
● Commonly used for ceiling and floor

Larsen, O. P., 2008. Reciprocal Frame Architecture.

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Examples

Source: Larsen, O. P., 2008. Reciprocal Frame Architecture Source: Nathan Leclerc ©

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02 Flat beam
grillage

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 Starting point
● Initial aspect of the beam
● Pattern that could be automatically generated
by Grasshopper
● Computational analysis

Lawson, J., 2022. Reciprocal Frames The Flat Beam

Grillage, s.l.: California Polytechnic State University - San
Luis Obispo, CA Architectural Engineering. 5
03 Structural
behavior

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Mechanical simulation of a RF system - Kohlhammer, T. (2011)
● Analytical and iterative process ● Formula for each iteration
● Decomposition into sub-systems (each beam)
● Example of iteration steps (1: Red, 2: Blue, 3:
● The distribution matrix "A" and proportions
Green)
"a" and b"

● Condition of equilibrium
● Static system (a) and sub-system (b)
● The matrix of nodal forces

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04 Parametric
Modelling

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 User Experience

● Define the interface of the tool

● Mechanical simulation with the help

of Finite Element method (Rhino 7)

● Assembly problematics

Leclerc, N., 2022. Etudes des planchers à bois courts |

Définition, outils d'aide à la conception et cinématique
de montage, s.l.: Ecole Nationale Supérieure
d'Architecture de Nancy. 9
05 Perspectives

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Perspectives

Parametric Design Tool Connections

Assembly Method

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Thank
you
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