Need help creating a hexagonal parametric surface

Hello! I'm very new to Grasshopper and Rhino. I'm an interior design student working on my thesis project and I'm trying to create a parametric hexagonal surface that will create a tunnel. I tried to create it in Revit (my program of choice) by using massing and components and dividing the surface. The program would only let me create a clunky version of what I wanted however. Below is the type of tunnel I am trying to replicate in sketched form. Please help! Thank you!!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by peter fotiadis on March 24, 2016 at 12:52pm

Well ... get this attached as a very rough (and a bit naive) indication (out of many) on that matter.

1. Either do a kind of geo dome by creating self supporting hex modules (bolted together via rather complex ball-pivot type of joint(s)).

2. Or create a hex truss on top, then W members as usual ... and ... well ... for the bottom you need code to do it properly (case: random modules allowing holes as in the attached stupid thingy).

Case 1 requires, most probably, planar (via Kangaroo2) hexagons - for some kind of real-life roofing modules - not a thing for the inexperienced either if you take into account the holes. In fact this is very tricky.

Case 2 requires members clash defection AND connectivity data AND roofing modules etc etc. I would strongly suggest to avoid this route (even for some Academic approach): not a task for a novice by any means.

Attachments:

Random_hexagons_V3A.gh, 152 KB

Permalink Reply by Jessica Culver on March 24, 2016 at 2:07pm

Thank you for replying. I figured it was going to be difficult for a complete beginner to do... :/

Permalink Reply by peter fotiadis on March 25, 2016 at 1:05am

One of these days I'll post (only code: no component of any kind) the proper way to planarize polygons: but this is NOT something that you can "handle" at present time by any means.

Dare I suggest a tensile membrane instead (requires Kangaroo1 or 2): that's rather far "easier" to achieve and a far far better engineering approach (by 1Z miles).

Given the opportunity: a real-life irregular truss (say: MERO type or some "similar") tops the charts as the most challenging parametric task known to man. If you add planarity constrain on the top grid ... well ... what about some other case? he, he.

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