FACTA UNIVERSITATIS
Series: Architecture and Civil Engineering Vol. 22, No 2, 2024, pp. 105-113
https://doi.org/10.2298/FUACE230630025Z
Review Paper
PARAMETRIC DESIGN OF 3D PRINTED RIBBED SLAB
SYSTEM BASED ON NATURE-INSPIRED PATTERNS*
UDC 624.073.5
681.625.9:688.796.2
Maša Žujović, Jelena Milošević
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture, Belgrade, Serbia
ORCID iDs: Maša Žujović https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6346-5102
Jelena Milošević https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7293-8194
Abstract. The interest in pattern geometry and its application to architecture may be seen
throughout history. While some authors were fascinated by pattern aesthetics, others were
focused on their effectiveness and underlying principles of pattern formation. In continuing
with the work of the second group of authors, this paper reviews opportunities for efficient
ways of implementing patterns in the design of architectural elements, supported by recent
developments in parametric design and digital fabrication techniques. This paper aims to
analyze pattern configurations found in nature in order to determine the underlying
generation principles and the potential of their application for 3D printed slab systems.
Using case study methodology, selected patterns will be applied in developing a generative
parametric design system, which will further be tested in creating and (small-scale)
fabricating ribbed slab elements. The result of the research is the generalization of a design
approach based on principles of natural pattern formation to produce sustainable design
solutions that rely on the transposition of the inherent efficiency of natural systems, such as
low energy or material consumption.
Key words: pattern design, pattern formation, bioinspired design, 3D printing, ribbed
slab systems
1. INTRODUCTION
Pattern geometry has long captivated architects and designers, serving as a source of
inspiration and innovation throughout history. While some authors have been captivated
by the aesthetic appeal of patterns, others have focused on their effectiveness and the
underlying principles of pattern formation. Building upon the work of the latter group of
authors, this study explores the effective pattern implementation in architectural design,
leveraging recent developments in parametric design and digital fabrication techniques.
Received June 30, 2023 / Revised August 1, 2023 / Accepted August 15, 2023
Corresponding author: Maša Žujović - University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture, Belgrade, Serbia
e-mail: [email protected]
*Selected paper presented at the International Conference Sinarg 2023 held in Niš, Serbia on 14-15 September 2023.
© 2024 by University of Niš, Serbia | Creative Commons License: CC BY-NC-ND
106 M. ŽUJOVIĆ, J. MILOŠEVIĆ
By analyzing pattern configurations found in nature, this paper aims to determine the
underlying generation principles and explore their potential application for 3D-printed
ribbed slab systems. The main goal of this research is to develop a design approach based
on the efficiency of natural systems, leading to sustainable design solutions that minimize
energy and material consumption.
Throughout architectural history, numerous authors have recognized the profound
impact of patterns on the built environment [1], [2]. One of the most notable authors in
this area was architect Christopher Alexander, who explored patterns as fundamental
building blocks in architectural design throughout his work, particularly in his book A
Pattern Language [3]. Although his work focused more on the experiential qualities of
patterns in architectural spaces rather than on the geometric and structural properties, his
work paved the way for further exploration of this topic in later years. In contrast to
Alexander's emphasis on aesthetics, even prior, another group of authors delved into the
scientific principles underlying pattern formation and their potential application in
architecture. Thompson, a mathematician, and biologist, investigated the mathematical
properties of natural patterns in his book On Growth and Form, focusing on a relationship
between physical forces and the formation of patterns in nature, highlighting pattern
generation principles and the efficiency of natural patterns [4].
Recent technological advancements have opened new possibilities for integrating
patterns into architectural practice [5], [6]. Parametric design, a computational design
approach, allows architects to create complex and customizable designs by manipulating
parameters and algorithms. Using parametric design enables the exploration of intricate
patterns that can be tailored to specific contexts and performance criteria. Additionally,
digital fabrication techniques, such as 3D printing, enable the realization of complex
geometries with unprecedented precision and efficiency. These technological
advancements provide a fertile ground for exploring the implementation of patterns in
architectural elements with improved efficiency and sustainability.
Slabs are the structural building element with great potential for optimization
regarding material efficiency. Today slabs are primarily made of concrete and take up
most of it out of all construction elements in the standard building, making them a
significant contributor to global CO2 emission [7]. This comes as a result of the
traditional building technology limitations where non-standard forms require complex
formworks to cast concrete, making them cost-inefficient. For this reason, even though
ribbed slabs have been proven more materially and structurally efficient, most floor
systems are still constructed as flat slabs. To answer this problem, the use of digital
fabrication technologies, especially 3D printing, has been extensively researched in
recent years and has shown great potential for the fabrication of non-standard geometries
through the printing of structural material or, more commonly, the printing of bespoke
formworks [8].
Ribbed slabs are optimized alternatives to solid slabs. This study explores the
possibilities of harnessing the inherent efficiency of nature-inspired pattern formation for
non-standard slab design in order to assess the potential design and fabrication of more
sustainable construction elements
Parametric Design of 3D Printed Ribbed Slab System Based on Nature-inspired Patterns 107
2. METHODOLOGY
Starting with the literature review, this paper provides an overview of nature-inspired
patterns by discussing underlying design principles, generation methods, and potential
applications for 3D printed slabs. First, the key points and some of the main authors in
the field are recognized in the brief historical review of the topic and some of the current
architectural concepts influenced by pattern science. Then, main generation principles are
identified and systematized along with their natural manifestations and corresponding
mathematical models. Next, using case study methodology, several patterns are selected
and applied through the digital design of non-standard ribbed floor systems. Designed
slabs are then evaluated, against the standard solid slab, in terms of material efficiency by
assessing specific rib configurations to exploit the inherent efficiency of natural patterns
to create sustainable construction elements.
3. NATURE-INSPIRED PATTERNS
The first observations in the field of patterns came from the attempts of ancient Greek
philosophers and mathematicians, such as Pythagoras or Plato, to understand and explain
the universal laws in nature by observing natural phenomena. In the Middle Ages,
Fibonacci introduced the Western world to the Fibonacci sequence in the book Liber Abaci
[9]. Mathematics and the understanding of patterns experienced accelerated knowledge
development from the 15th century with the transition to the Renaissance period. Thus,
Leonardo Da Vinci analyzed the appearance of the golden section in nature, noticing,
among other things, the spiral configuration of plant leaf patterns. Kepler applied the
Fibonacci sequence to describe patterns in nature. The golden ratio and the Fibonacci
sequence became two of the best-known mathematical rules that can be used to describe a
large number of patterns in nature. During the 18th and 19th centuries, numerous scientists,
such as Thomas Browne and Charles Bonnet, further developed these ideas [10]. For
example, the problem of minimum area for a given contour was defined by studying soap
bubbles. Based on these laws, William Thomson explained the system of efficient packing
of cells, that is, one type of pattern formation in space [11].
Previous points to not only interest in aesthetic aspects of the natural patterns but also
the significant interest in the underlying mathematical principles that lead to their formation.
The attempts to understand naturally occurring visual patterns and their causes have
interested many researchers during the last century. One of the first comprehensive research
attempts to explain complex physical phenomena in nature was made by D'Arcy
Wentworth Thompson from the position of natural science. He explained many phenomena
that influence the formation of form and patterns in nature, such as the influence of scale on
the formation of patterns [4]. His work emphasized the interconnectedness between
mathematics, physics, and biology in understanding pattern formation. He proposed that
physical forces, such as tension, pressure, and growth, play a crucial role in shaping natural
patterns. Although it did not focus on establishing mathematical models describing pattern
generation principles, this work is important from the architectural point of view as it offers
a systematized insight into the formation of different structures found in nature and their
morphogenesis. These principles were further researched in the following years. For
example, Alan Turing, a pioneer of artificial intelligence, studied the mechanisms that
influence the formation of patterns in living organisms broadening the understanding of
108 M. ŽUJOVIĆ, J. MILOŠEVIĆ
their morphogenesis [12]. Most of the natural patterns were subject to observation and
exploration from an early age, but branching, which was noted early on, was explained only
much later. First, Lindenmayer presented the L-systems, which can be used to describe the
growth of plants in the form of fractals. Followed by Mandelbrot's introduction of the term
fractal geometry [13]. The interest in this topic over time evolved and led to the formation of
pattern theory, a branch of applied mathematics that analyzes the patterns that the world
generates in any modality, in all their natural complexity, intending to reconstruct the
processes, objects, and events that produced them [14]. This theory represents the theoretical
basis of many disciplines, such as artificial intelligence, image and acoustic signal processing,
and pattern recognition.
The concept of morphogenesis, or the creation of form, was originally used to describe
biological processes of cellular formation. However, the concept of digital morphogenesis
emerged with the development of digital technologies. It refers to applying computational
techniques and algorithms to generate and explore complex architectural forms and structures,
drawing inspiration from biological processes and natural systems [15]. Patterns in nature
represent a source of inspiration for this research direction as they are often formed on
principles that favor the logic of optimization, which can be highly beneficial when transposed
in structural design [16]. Biomimetics, the design that draws inspiration from nature in terms
of an organism's or ecosystem's functional notions, emerged from this concept. It focuses
on the interpretation and implementation of natural principles for generating optimized
structures through generative design [17].
3.1. Pattern formation principles
A pattern in mathematics refers to any system formed based on defined rules. For this
work, visual patterns, those with a geometric manifestation, are relevant. Visual patterns
and the rules by which they are formed are mostly present in nature. There were multiple
attempts at categorizing natural patterns [18], [19]. According to the literature review,
nature-based patterns can be classified into the following categories based on the main
generation principles.
Self-Organization: A dynamic process in which complex structures and patterns emerge
from numerous interactions, executed using only local information, among the individual
lower-level components of the system.
Self-Similarity: Process of forming geometric patterns that exhibit self-similarity,
meaning that they are formed by repeating a unit pattern through different scales, such as
fractals.
Reaction-Diffusion Systems: A dynamic process naturally found in chemistry involving
local chemical reactions and substance diffusion, leading to spatial pattern formation.
Growth and Morphogenesis: Biological growth processes are caused by the distribution
of resources, cell proliferation, and physical constraints that determine the spatial arrangement
of tissues and organs.
Physical Forces and Constraints: Process of forming patterns under the influence of
physical forces (tension, compression, or gravity) or mechanical forces and growth
constraints.
Optimization: The natural process of pattern forming under optimization and
efficiency principles in nature exhibits remarkable adaptations for resource utilization,
energy, and material efficiency, or functional optimization.
Parametric Design of 3D Printed Ribbed Slab System Based on Nature-inspired Patterns 109
Table 1 Overview of patterns and generation principles in nature
Generation principle Pattern Computational models
Self-Organization ant trails, flocking of birds, cellular automata, agent-based
cell organization, ripple simulations
patterns
Self-Similarity branching networks, recursive algorithms
coastlines, cloud shapes,
crystals, waves
Reaction-Diffusion Systems turing patterns, stripes, spots, partial differential equations
travelling waves
Growth and Morphogenesis tissue and bone morphology, finite element method
spirals, trees
Physical Forces and Constraints branching structures, finite element method
honeycomb, spirals, banded
patterns, voronoi
Optimization voronoi, packing patterns, biological algorithms /
Fibonacci sequence and the including evolutionary
golden ratio, flow patterns, algorithms, genetic
spider webs, sponges algorithms, neural networks
Every pattern in nature or its geometric approximation can be classified into at least one
listed category (Table 1). However, it is important to note that patterns in nature are often the
result of the combination of multiple factors. Patterns from each category can be applied to a
surface; therefore, each can be applied as a rib configuration for slab systems. For example,
standard rib configurations include regular networks of ribs belonging to regular geometric
tessellations or ribs following isostatic lines representing force flows [20].
4. DESIGN OF RIBBED SLAB SYSTEM
In standard building practice, rib configuration selection is often influenced by
construction technology limitations rather than achieving maximal efficiency. Previous
results in using regular geometric patterns such as orthogonal or triangular grids as they
do not require overly complex formworks and can be achieved using modular elements
[21]. Pier Luigi Nervi has shown in his work that it is possible to achieve much greater
material efficiency using rib configurations that follow isostatic lines of principal bending
moments [22]. However, his approach was never widely used because of the needed
formwork complexity. Digital fabrication and especially 3D printing techniques have
shown a great potential for more efficient fabrication of complex form slabs by allowing
bespoke formwork design [23]–[25].
This study explores the potential applications of nature-inspired patterns for the
design of non-standard ribbed floor slabs for 3D printing. To do this, a design process,
shown in Figure 1, was established and implemented, producing test slab models.
110 M. ŽUJOVIĆ, J. MILOŠEVIĆ
Fig. 1 Design process workflow
First, a model slab was selected as an 8x8m centrally supported two-way slab in
reference to the Nervi’s Gatti Wool Factory, which was proven to be one of the highly
materially efficient built slabs [22], and because it represents a typical span for multistory
buildings. The reference solid slab was tested with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using
the Millipede plugin for Rhinoceros 3D/Grasshopper. A solid slab with a thickness of
h=22cm was chosen as a reference.
Next, based on the literature review, several pattern generation principles were selected for
the slab design. The selection was made considering the optimization potential and
compatibility of said principle with the structural requirements of slab elements. Some natural
patterns were discarded due to the overly complex geometric nature (e.g., Turing patterns),
and some due to the formation principal incompatible with the selected design task. Several
patterns were selected and parametrically generated, exploring different configurations and
densities. Five pattern groups were then chosen for further testing based on their form,
complexity, optimization potential, and aesthetic qualities, with one of them being an isostatic
pattern generated through FEA. This pattern was included as a second reference since it is
commonly considered an efficient configuration in the building industry.
For each group, one representative configuration was chosen for testing, each with a
similar curve density. In the next step, these configurations were applied to the test slab,
and digital models were made. These models were then tested using another FEA, and
optimal rib size was determined based on the deflection. Finally, all test models were
compared with the reference slab in terms of material efficiency.
In the final step, the most efficient configuration was selected, and a 3D model was
generated. Based on this 3D model, a formwork for a small-scale prototype was designed
Parametric Design of 3D Printed Ribbed Slab System Based on Nature-inspired Patterns 111
for 3D printing on a desktop PLA printer simulating a larger-scale production method of
combining 3D printed formwork with traditional concrete casting techniques.
Fig. 2 Formwork design
5. DISCUSSION
The presented case study explored a variety of design solutions for non-standard rib
configurations based on the selected generation principles. The results have shown that
these rib configurations can lead to a more materially efficient design. Among the
analyzes slab models, all had lower material consumption than the reference slab. The
weight difference was between 16 - 42%, with the most efficient being rib configuration
formed on the principles of multiple symmetry and reflections. Another important finding
was that this configuration showed slightly better performance than the tested isostatic
pattern, confirming the hypothesis that natural generation principles could lead to
innovative and more optimized design solutions.
Although this study confirmed efficiency of ribbed slab systems based on nature-
inspired patterns, some aspects could be further developed:
The results of this study can be further verified through the fabrication of small-scale
prototypes and model testing.
Further research should consider reinforcement design as it was not included in this
research; however, it is an important step for scaling up the prototypes and can potentially
alter the design criteria.
The proposed design workflow could be developed in the future to include additional
optimization algorithms in the form-finding stage to further improve the material
efficiency of the proposed structures.
FEA for this study was done using a Millipede plugin; however, in the future, it
would be beneficial to consider using other software that could provide more parameter
control to increase optimization and precision.
In this study, designed structures were assumed to be standard reinforced concrete; to
increase sustainability, exploring other material alternatives for both construction elements
and digital fabrication would be necessary.
6. CONCLUSION
This paper explores the potential of implementing nature-inspired pattern generation
principles in the structural element design workflow for creating non-standard ribbed
floor systems. The literature review was first conducted to understand the development of
the interest in the field of nature-inspired patterns, underlying principles, and their impact
112 M. ŽUJOVIĆ, J. MILOŠEVIĆ
on architectural design. The main groups of generation principles were then identified
and systematized, along with the corresponding occurrences in nature. Among these,
several with the most potential for use in the design of slab elements were selected and
applied in the case study. Next, the design workflow was formed and applied to design
several slabs with non-standard rib configurations and to compare them against a
standard flat slab. Results have shown that using nature-inspired principles for rib
configuration form-finding has excellent potential for reducing material consumption.
The proposed design method, combined with the novel fabrication techniques, could be
used to design more sustainable construction elements.
This study is part of an ongoing research effort into the digital fabrication of
structurally optimized architectural elements, through which discussed further research
directions and limitations will be addressed.
Acknowledgement. This research was funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological
Development of the Republic of Serbia, grant number 451-03-68/2020-14/200090. The research was
done under the research lab of the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture—Laboratory for
Innovative Structures in Architecture (LISA).
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PARAMETARSKI DIZAJN 3 D ŠTAMPANIH SISTEMA
REBRASTIH PLOČA INSPIRISAN PRIRODNIM OBLICIMA
Kroz istoriju se može videti interes za geometriju uzoraka i njenu primenu na arhitekturu. Dok su
neki autori bili fascinirani estetikom obrazaca, drugi su bili fokusirani na njihovu efikasnost i osnovne
principe formiranja obrazaca. Nastavljajući rad druge grupe autora, ovaj rad razmatra mogućnosti za
efikasne načine implementacije obrazaca u dizajn arhitektonskih elemenata, podržane najnovijim
razvojem parametarskog dizajna i tehnikama digitalne izrade. Ovaj rad ima za cilj analizu konfiguracije
obrazaca koje se nalaze u prirodi kako bi se utvrdili osnovni principi generisanja i potencijal njihove
primene za 3D štampane sisteme ploča. Koristeći metodologiju studije slučaja, odabrani obrasci će biti
primenjeni u razvoju generativnog parametarskog projektantskog sistema, koji će se dalje testirati u
kreiranju i izradi (malih) elemenata rebrastih ploča. Rezultat istraživanja je generalizacija dizajnerskog
pristupa zasnovanog na principima formiranja prirodnog obrasca za proizvodnju održivih dizajnerskih
rešenja koja se oslanjaju na transpoziciju inherentne efikasnosti prirodnih sistema, kao što je niska
potrošnja energije ili materijala.
Ključne reči: dizajn obrazaca, formiranje obrazaca, bioinspirisani dizajn, 3D štampa, sistemi
rebrastih ploča
