Development and evaluation of the aesthetics of structural form

Abstract

This study demonstrates that the aesthetic concepts of engineering design do not just arise; but that they are derived from various models of aesthetics. It also presents various Proportioning Systems and their application in Structures, through case studies, notably the use of the Golden Proportion. The research includes two perceptual experiments. The first experiment was about the perception of rectangular shapes using one hundred respondents. The second experiment was about the perception of simple structures using fifty respondents. The results of these perceptual experiments confirm the fact that respondents' preferences are linked with the various philosophical models. The research also deals with optimization of simple structures. Optimization curves are obtained by varying the dimensions (or proportions) of the structure concerned. Finally, the dissertation also describes the possibility of making initial design decisions relating to dimensions (or proportions), using plots of optimization and plots of aesthetic preferences.