Stability of Latticed Shell with Uniform-Length Hexagonal Grid

Stability and constructability of a latticed shell with hexagonal grids are investigated. The grid is assembled with pairs of members connected by joints. The latticed shell with uniform lengths of members is first obtained using the optimization approach developed by the first and fourth authors. The lift-up process is also simulated using a large-deformation finite-element analysis. It is shown through the numerical simulation and a prototype physical model that surfaces with various shapes can be constructed using uniform-length hexagonal grids assembled with several types of connections.