Segmented Spiral Using Inter-Connected Timber Elements

This paper describes the construction process of a scenographic structure five meters high spiral. It consists of following parts: CAD modeling workflow, prototyping and FEM structural calculation, assembly and on-site loading test. The structure was composed of twenty-nine wooden boxes, which were screwed together and suspended by cables. The custom FEM model was made to understand the structural behavior of the spiral. The principal objective of structural calculation was to understand the rigidity of the connections and the interactions between the wooden-boxes, in order to apprehend the behavior of the structure under loads. Further details are given about different steps involved in modelling and fabrication, such as parametric tools, G-Code tool-path generation for the 4.5-axis CNC machine and on-site installation. Afterwards, the loading tests and point-cloud deflection comparison are discussed in order to highlight the possible optimization of such structures.