College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
Architectural Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Architectural Engineering
Date
6-2026
Primary Advisor
Edmond Saliklis, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Architectural Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
XenaForms combine rigid planes and straight lines with the fluidity of structural origami to create beautiful, organic folded plate structures. Unlike many conventional structures, folded plate systems derive their stability from the interaction between connected panels, creating the appearance of a single continuous sheet of material. The XenaForm uses structural origami and triangulation to create stable points at the apex of two non-colinear triangles. While it is mathematically true that no moment needs to be transferred across the seam between panels in order to have a stable structure, allowing some moment capacity greatly helps during construction. Specifically, these stiff connections maintain the angle between the adjacent triangular panels, which enhances the stiffness of the structure while simultaneously aiding the construction process by immediately providing the correct angle between adjacent panels. A drawback of these connectors is that each one is custom-designed for the specific angle between adjacent triangles.
This paper makes four contributions. First, it confirms the definition of a XenaForm as a stable thin-shell structure created by the use of kinematic trilateration and the reliance on pairs of non-coplanar triangular panels. Trilateration occurs when distances from three stable nodes are constant, creating two intersection points, one of which becomes the apex from which the form is created. Second, it identifies the need for, and examines, the design of rigid connections between adjacent triangles to increase construction ease and maintain the structure's stability over time. Third, it identifies the need for and examines the design of universal pinned base connectors that restrain each panel in position while allowing rotation about its base edge, preserving the integrity of the XenaForm triangulation-based stability method. This base connector is universal insofar as it can accommodate any angle between the shell and the ground. This is hugely advantageous as it does not require custom connections as the panel-to-panel connectors did. Fourth, it describes and analyzes the purpose, fabrication, and construction process of a study model of plywood panels and steel connections.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/arcesp/253