Peregrine is a powerful new structural layout optimization plugin for Grasshopper, the popular algorithmic modelling environment built into the Rhino 3D modelling software. Peregrine can be used to rapidly identify highly efficient (minimum volume) frame topologies for any given set of loads, supports and material properties.
A technology preview version of the plugin is now freely available for download from Food4Rhino.
Peregrine takes advantage of the powerful optimization engine used by LimitState:FORM, making this accessible to the designers of buildings and other large structures. Benefits of the technology are that near-globally optimal solutions can often be obtained in seconds, with these readily transformable into more practical designs using a range of inbuilt tools.
Peregrine has been developed as part of the UK government-funded BUILD-OPT research project (EPSRC refs. EP/N023471/1, EP/N023269/1, EP/N019652/1). This collaborative research project involved the Universities of Sheffield, Bath and Edinburgh, AECOM, Arup, BuroHappold, Expedition Engineering, IStructE, Ramboll and the Steel Construction Institute.
Peregrine is being launched today, 20 November 2019, at a workshop designed to highlight the benefits of layout optimisation, being held at the Institution of Structural Engineers HQ in London.
The technology preview version of the plugin is available free-of-charge for all users until 30 June 2020. From 1st July 2020 a competitively priced monthly subscription package will be available to commercial users, with a free package available to academic users for teaching and research use.
An enhanced version of Peregrine is currently being developed as part of a partnership between LimitState, the University of Sheffield and Arup. This will incorporate tools to enable more complex building design problems to be tackled.
Peregrine originator Dr Linwei He of the University of Sheffield commented “Early versions of the plugin have been trialled at workshops held worldwide, attracting very positive feedback. With this first public release I am excited to see how designers make use of the plugin, particularly in the initial conceptual design stage of projects”.
BUILD-OPT project Principal Investigator and LimitState Managing Director Prof. Matthew Gilbert commented “The climate crisis means that there is an urgent need to reduce the material consumption associated with the construction sector. It is therefore important that structural designers have access to tools that are capable of rapidly identifying materially efficient designs, indicating that tools such as Peregrine are likely to be invaluable in the future”.
Why Peregrine?
The peregrine falcon, the fastest animal on the planet, has a strong and light skeleton designed to efficiently withstand the high aerodynamic forces sustained when travelling at speed. The Peregrine plugin is designed to automatically generate efficient, strong and light, skeletal frame designs much faster than conventional topology optimization tools.
A pair of Peregrine falcons have inhabited the church tower adjacent to the LimitState offices and the University of Sheffield’s main Faculty of Engineering building since 2012.
About LimitState
LimitState Ltd was spun out from the University of Sheffield in 2006 to develop and market cutting edge ultimate analysis and design software for engineering professionals. LimitState has a growing portfolio of products, with applications in the structural, geotechnical and mechanical engineering sectors. LimitState maintains close links with the University, enabling the company to draw on and rapidly implement the latest innovations.
Media
