The Architecture of Artificial Gravity: Archetypes and Transformations of Terrestrial Design

In artificial gravity, conformance to the hypothetical comfort zone does not guarantee an earth-normal environment, nor does it sanction design based on terrestrial norms. This paper begins by examining the range of gravity environments encompassed by the comfort zone. It compares Coriolis slope distortions with typical slopes in terrestrial architecture. It then offers a detailed analysis of the abnormalities inherent in relative motion through artificial gravity, using stair-climbing and material-handling as prototypical activities. The effect of Coriolis acceleration is such that it is impossible to design a stair for artificial gravity that meets the terrestrial design requirement of constant apparent slope at constant velocity in both the ascending and descending directions. Coriolis forces may also significantly reduce a person’s effective lifting and carrying strength, even under partial gravity conditions. The only way to simulate a normal gravitational environment, with minimal Coriolis acceleration and rotational cross-coupling, is with a maximal radius of rotation. Where a large radius is not possible, habitat module orientation becomes important. The most comfortable orientation places the module axis parallel to the rotational axis. A deliberate, proactive approach to design may make artificial gravity more feasible by specifically planning for abnormal gravitational effects at small radii. Nomenclature Boldface indicates vector quantities; italics indicate scalar quantities; dots above indicate derivatives with respect to time: X ,Y ,Z Inertial coordinates. x ,y ,z Rotating coordinates. x',y ' Coordinates relative to observer. i ,j ,k Basis vectors in x,y,z. Angular velocity of x,y,z relative to X,Y,Z. R , R , R Position, velocity, acceleration relative to X,Y,Z. r, r , r Position, velocity, acceleration relative to x,y,z. R ,V ,A Magnitudes of R, R , R . r,v,a Magnitudes of r, r , r . t Elapsed time. e Natural base = 2.71828... Copyright © 1993 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., and the Space Studies Institute. All rights reserved. * Systems research programmer and doctoral candidate in architecture, College of Architecture and Urban Planning. Position angle in x,y,z. (r, are polar coordinates.) Velocity angle in x,y,z. Velocity slope angle relative to x' axis. Rotation of x',y' axes to correct for Coriolis slope distortion. Coriolis slope distortion when = 0.