3D Space Frame Analysis using Python and Blender

Develop tools to model and analyse complex 3D space frame structures using Python

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Welcome and Preliminaries

1 .0 Introduction and course overview

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2.0 Course prerequisites

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Support and Lecture Q&A (Please read!)

3.0 Installing Nbextensions (optional)

Expanding from 2 to 3 Dimensions

4.0 Section overview

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5.0 Review of transformations in 2D

6.0 Expanding to a 3D transformation matrix

7.0 The 6x6 element stiffness matrix

Coding the Third Dimension

8.0 Section overview

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9.0 Visualising our 3D structure

10.0 Adding node number annotations

11.0 3D orientations and lengths

12.0 Building the 3D structure stiffness matrix

13.0 Solving for displacements, reactions and axial forces

14.0 Visualising axial forces & deflections

15.0 Detailed text output

Jupyter Notebook - (lectures 9-15)

Improving the User Experience

16.0 Section overview

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17.0 Adding a colormap for axial forces

18.0 Adding UI widgets for plot adjustments

Jupyter Notebook - (lectures 17 &18)

Building 3D Structures in Blender

19.0 Section overview

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20.0 How can Blender help us?

21.0 Downloading & installing Blender

22.0 Blender overview & interface basics

23.0 Object versus edit mode

24.0 Basic modelling - rectilinear structures

25.0 Basic modelling - organic/curved structures

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Blender File - (lecture 25)

Mid-course check-in

Jupyter/Blender Data Transfer

26.0 Section overview

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27.0 Exporting model data from Blender

28.0 Importing model data into our Jupyter Notebook

29.0 Exporting deflections from our Jupyter Notebook

30.0 Visualising model deflections in Blender

Blender File - (lectures 27 & 30)

Jupyter Notebook - (lectures 28-29)

Case Study Structures

31.0 Section overview

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32.0 Transmission tower - Modelling

Blender File - (lecture 32)

33.0 Transmission tower - analysis

Jupyter Notebook - (lecture 33)

34.0 Geodesic dome - modelling and better data export

Blender File - (lecture 34)

35.0 Geodesic dome - analysis

Jupyter Notebook - (lecture 35)

36.0 Gherkin-esk tower

Jupyter Notebook - (lecture 36)

Blender File - (lecture 36)

37.0 Space frame structure

Jupyter Notebook - (lecture 37)

Blender File - (lecture 37)

38.0 Course wrap up & Certificate of Completion

Course Updates

This section is reserved for 'post-release' updates to the course...for those good ideas and suggestions that come in from students taking the course.

So far, we have expanded to consider,

automatic self-weight calculation and implementing individual member cross-sectional areas.
Building a better axial force visualisation using Blender

Jupyter Notebooks - (Lecture 39)

39.0 Including self-weight in the analysis

40.0 Blender data-viz - Structure setup & force data

Jupyter Notebook - (Lecture 40)

41.0 Blender data-viz - Blocking out the code

42.0 Blender data-viz - The transformation matrix

43.0 Blender data-viz - Generating materials from force data

Blender File - (lectures 40-43)