This model of a free-form compression-only vault has been build using rapid prototyping. It stands just by gravity and friction. It is part of a research project of the BLOCK Research Group at the ETH Zurich. Two publications describe details about the structural models and the design process.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpvA8MqXqZBEp6p93F2Ajk0mK7ApV_WdbiozA8TYFZNizL5DGNOtDPVqlQaxShQj_5OQx-I9NJMgJEG3v7-ll_H22Iu4RzAgRHPQBhRGsdEoUysuilDSMyHByE4yhrINQwVE-qqz_1_o6/s400/FormForceDiagrams.jpg)
Form and force diagrams in plane, the force distribution in the network, and the form of the network in 3d.
The form-finding process is based on TNA, a method developed by Philippe Block.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjk7Xx3HFkORn54-elhF6_24Ylv5Am3zqv5Q6HOLgp2QP-KB77BdbcDpkkhxPub7ibH_uCuDgRVQ5PeAgUpfr5Jcrt45Ab1idosNg0fIkEbjGDqVlBxDJ_2G-V_cXDBswQqCXP3ie6lY5k/s400/VaultDetail.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QEasAv0spG0US4UdTyYr6qoPU8EGcMlhuv_BCJkvLeLupDo4uokedS-2lJO3V57mlMveKQlFbxjcJ5Go6kQ_xosVy4a0SyiDYWWRs-kTtpH3-HZpZ-6Kt0OhfvzYNf73cVdtcNP3dvAp/s400/VaultPicture.jpg)
Pictures and movie (c) by BLOCK Research Group