Digitaler Formschluss - Zahn-Steckverbindungen für komplexe Stahlbauknoten

This paper discusses the potentials of form-fit connections in steel structures to generate 'digital details' which are easily adapted to different boundary conditions and organize their manufacturing and assembly. In this paper, a grid shell for a 45 m span ETFE cushion dome and a large membrane facade that use digital detailing as a basic principle for all joints of the structure, will be discussed. The projects demonstrate how the inclusion of simple digital production processes in the detail design enable rational planning, manufacturing and assembly of complex structures. Next to the new challenge in understanding geometric relationships, material properties, and manufacturing techniques, computationally expensive analysis using Finite Volume Elements with nonlinear connection and material models is necessary to the engineering of such details.