Simulation of structurally graded CNC-knitted membranes

Knitting technology through its ability to steer material composition enables the making of architectural functionally graded membranes (AFGMem). During the last decades, the research into knitted textiles for architectural application has gained an increasing interest. There, knit is understood as an innovative material system that enables complex geometry and bespoke composition for a wide range of applications with variegated performances, such as structural membranes, partition screens, casting formworks, actuated structures, and solidified shell-like-canopies. The application, functionality, and performance of the knitted structures directly determine their material differentiation through stitch structure and define the methods for informing its material composition. This paper focuses on further investigation of the simulation-driven approach for material differentiation and presents the recent advancements and the evolution of the method, demonstrated through the material design of three cases of structurally employed membrane structures.