An overview of using physical models in shell structures form finding from the past to the present

This paper discusses existing physical form finding methods for shell structures. It focuses use of physical models in the last ۱۰۰ years, followed by a brief description of some projects where physical scale modelling played an active role in the design process and then compares methods with each other. For a shell structure, the geometric shape plays an important role in its structural efficiency, which means they form according to the load they must carry for the best resistance, therefore structure and architecture designing are integrated in these kinds of structures. Therefore, to obtain a structurally efficient shell, its shape should depend on the flow of forces, and vice versa, its design requires a process of form finding. The aim of this research is to survey physical models that have been developed by researchers, engineers, architects, or contractors over the past several decades. This paper will demonstrate how use of physical models led to substantial improvements in the design of shell structures from the past to the present.