Construction of Planar and Symmetric Truss Structures with Interlocking Edge Elements

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel algorithmic method for designing and constructing planar, symmetric truss structures using interlocking modular elements based on geometric principles, enabling secure assembly and disassembly.

Contribution

It presents a new approach leveraging geometric interlocking principles and binary operations for creating interlocking truss structures with modular elements.

Findings

Modular elements can be assembled using binary operations.

Interlocking principles enable secure, disassemblable structures.

A key-in-hole concept facilitates assembly and disassembly.

Abstract

In this paper, we present an algorithmic approach to design and construct planar truss structures based on symmetric lattices using modular elements. The method of assembly is similar to Leonardo grids as they both rely on the property of interlocking. In theory, our modular elements can be assembled by the same type of binary operations. Our modular elements embody the principle of geometric interlocking, a principle recently introduced in literature that allows for pieces of an assembly to be interlocked in a way that they can neither be assembled nor disassembled unless the pieces are subjected to deformation or breakage. We demonstrate that breaking the pieces can indeed facilitate the effective assembly of these pieces through the use of a simple key-in-hole concept. As a result, these modular elements can be assembled together to form an interlocking structure, in which the locking pieces apply the force necessary to hold the entire assembly together.