TopoLite¶
TopoLite is a cross-platform tool for creating topological interlocking shell structures. It supports surface tiling, contact detection, globally interlocking verification, rigid body equilibrium, and topological interlocking block generation.
Abstract¶
We study assemblies of convex rigid blocks regularly arranged to approximate a given freeform surface. Our designs rely solely on the geometric arrangement of blocks to form a stable assembly, neither requiring explicit connectors or complex joints, nor relying on friction between blocks. The convexity of the blocks simplifies fabrication, as they can be easily cut from different materials such as stone, wood, or foam. However, designing stable assemblies is challenging, since adjacent pairs of blocks are restricted in their relative motion only in the direction orthogonal to a single common planar interface surface. We show that despite this weak interaction, structurally stable, and in some cases, globally interlocking assemblies can be found for a variety of freeform designs.
Our optimization algorithm is based on a theoretical link between static equilibrium conditions and a geometric, global interlocking property of the assembly-that an assembly is globally interlocking if and only if the equilibrium conditions are satisfied for arbitrary external forces and torques. Inspired by this connection, we define a measure of stability that spans from single-load equilibrium to global interlocking, motivated by tilt analysis experiments used in structural engineering. We use this measure to optimize the geometry of blocks to achieve a static equilibrium for a maximal cone of directions, as opposed to considering only self-load scenarios with a single gravity direction. In the limit, this optimization can achieve globally interlocking structures. We show how different geometric patterns give rise to a variety of design options and validate our results with physical prototypes.
Please check our Topo2019SigA paper for more technical details.
The source code of the project is published on LGG github account here
GUI Interface¶
We provide a GUI to users if you want to visualise assemblies. Description of the GUI is given in User Interface, examples of usage are given in Graphical interface.
3D modelisation in TopoCreator.¶
Pattern design changing in TopoCreator.¶
Pattern size changing in TopoCreator.¶
License¶
NanoGUI is provided under a MIT-style license that can be found in the licence section. By using, distributing, or contributing to this project, you agree to the terms and conditions of this license.