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Fractal Math, Chaos Theory & Research => (new) Theories & Research => Topic started by: ErkDemon on February 24, 2011, 10:07:06 PM




Title: Fractal "Delta" solid
Post by: ErkDemon on February 24, 2011, 10:07:06 PM
I came across this shape last year, and referred to it in a book as the "Delta" fractal.

It's ... difficult to describe, so it's probably best if I post a link:

http://alt-fractals.blogspot.com/2011/02/baird-delta.html (http://alt-fractals.blogspot.com/2011/02/baird-delta.html)

The basic unit is a six-sided solid that looks a bit like two triangular shields glued together, back-to-back. When you iterate it, it generates Koch curves on all the faces, external and internal. I suspect that it might be the most fundamental 3D shape that has this property.

I was wondering: Does anyone know of any "prior art" for this thing?


Title: Re: Fractal "Delta" solid
Post by: tomot on February 24, 2011, 10:12:59 PM
The video appears to show 3 Tetrahedrons which are equally spaced around a common central axis


Title: Re: Fractal "Delta" solid
Post by: ErkDemon on February 24, 2011, 11:55:22 PM
The video appears to show 3 Tetrahedrons which are equally spaced around a common central axis

Hi Tomot! The three corner units aren't four-sided tetrahedra, but smaller rotated copies of the larger six-sided shape ... but now you mention it, yes, it's difficult to see this from the video.

Here's a wireframe view of the basic building block, and its first iteration.
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSoMckmQOCk/TWbb2Cl-h-I/AAAAAAAAADI/RkA5nZ_5CIw/s320/Delta_fractal_wireframe.png)

The three smaller pieces on the right are perfect smaller copies of the larger shape on the left.

My laptop's working on a better, HD-quality video, but it might take a day or two to finish rendering.

The fractal only "works" when the solid has a very particular set of proportions, so the building-block would seem to be a fairly "fundamental" shape ... but I don't know what its name is, or if it even has a name.  


Title: Re: Fractal "Delta" solid
Post by: tomot on February 25, 2011, 12:39:49 AM
your right! its a Hexahedron.....2 Tetrahedrons stuck together.......googled that!  :)


Title: Re: Fractal "Delta" solid
Post by: Tglad on February 25, 2011, 02:47:54 AM
Nice find. I haven't ever seen it before... this one generates a koch-like surface too, in a different way- http://www.fractalforums.com/ifs-iterated-function-systems/fun-with-koch-fractals/msg2630/#msg2630 (http://www.fractalforums.com/ifs-iterated-function-systems/fun-with-koch-fractals/msg2630/#msg2630)