The Basento Viaduct, designed by Sergio Musmeci in 1974, is a striking example of how form-finding can be used to create innovative and aesthetically pleasing structures. Form-finding is the process of determining the optimal shape of a structure based on external loads, material properties, and construction constraints.
Traditionally, form-finding has been accomplished through physical modeling, such as building small-scale prototypes and testing them under load to see how they deform.
Computational form-finding has become increasingly popular. It allows designers to quickly and accurately explore a wide range of design options using computer simulations. In the case of the Basento Viaduct, this would involve using software to analyze the forces acting on the structure and determine the optimal shape that can effectively resist those forces while also meeting the desired aesthetic criteria.
This process enables designers to create structures that are both efficient and visually appealing, making it an invaluable tool in structural engineering.
