Analysis of the Algebraic Relationship of Polygon Dimensions in Origami Spider Web Design

Overview

The purpose of this study was to develop an origami spider web pattern. Spider webs have a wide variety of shapes and sizes. This study focused on developing a design for a simplified spider web form that has rings with spokes radiating from the center. An origami spider web design was derived from an origami frog pattern developed by Toshikazu Kawasaki-Yakomoga. Pieces of paper were collapsed, based on the first steps of the frog pattern, then were folded into the spokes and rings. The initial design led to testing multiple variations of the basic pattern to investigate varying numbers of spokes and rings in the origami spider web. Mathematical relationships in the origami patterns were used to derive formulas. These formulas focused on calculating the size of the original paper required to construct a spider web with the desired final dimensions. During the investigation, the intent shifted from making a spider web with dimensions of real spider webs to proving why origami artists cannot make spider webs of realistic dimensions. Several spider webs at a local park were measured and integrated into the final dimensions of the derived formula. Based on these calculations, the patterns investigated were effective in making small-scale spider webs, but not practical to apply to large-scale origami because of the required size of the paper being a significant limiting factor.

Competition history

• AJAS 2017 Category not listed

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