Knot Types Used by Transformable and Rigid Linear Structural Systems

Abstract

A knot is the joining place between two or more constructive elements in a framework or structure. They have a fundamental importance in the structure, according to their design they will be able to give a geometric configuration or another to the system and will also absorb certain forces or others. Depending on the movements they allow to the bars, there are rigid knots, articulated knots and slip knots. In this paper a study of cases about rigid knots or embedments used by structural systems so far will be presented. These types of knots prevent the rotation and movement of the constructive elements used for construction. In this paper also a study of cases about the articulated and slip knots used by transformable structural systems so far will be presented. An articulated knot allows the rotation but not the movement of the elements. A slip knot prevents movement in one of the three axes of the reference system, but not in the others, nor in the rotation between the elements. The research is focused in presenting a summary and comparison of rigid knots, articulated knots and slip knots that have been used in the structural design of some architecture. The union systems research will be crucial in this study. The investigation shows an important state of the art that provides technical solutions to apply on novel architectures based on rigid structural systems and articulated and slip structural systems. The research is useful to produce the current constructive solutions based on these constructive systems.