Published In
Proceedings of the IASS Annual Symposium 2020/21 and the 7th International Conference on Spatial Structures: Inspiring the Next Generation
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
2021
Subjects
Structural design, Structural analysis, Mathematical models
Abstract
This study addresses the relationship between the geometry and structural performance of branching columns using an example case based on a square grid shell supported by four branching columns. The branching columns are configured with three levels of members, bifurcating into four members as each member branches upwards. A range of solutions is parametrically generated using the concepts of formex algebra and its associated software system, Formian 2.0. The form exploration uses the GAbased method, ParaGen which incorporates both quantitative structural performance and qualitative architectural considerations in the exploration process. Certain design constraints, as well as multiple objectives, are established including minimizing structural weight and deflection, and increasing vibration stiffness, in addition to the designer’s satisfaction with the visual appearance of the columns. Within the iterative process of form generation, the structural performance of the branching columns under a combination of self-weight and snow load is evaluated using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, STAAD.Pro. The branching members are sized based on the AISC LRFD steel code. ParaGen creates a database of suitable solutions, which can be explored by filtering and sorting based on a variety of performance parameters. Different techniques are demonstrated in the exploration of good solutions including scatter point graphs, Pareto front analysis, and images of the design alternatives.
Rights
Copyright © 2021 by Peter von Buelow and Anahita Khodadadi
Copyright Policy
For the contribution to the proceedings, author(s) retain copyright but grant permission for publication to the IASS. If author(s) include materials with copyright held by others, author(s) must certify that they have received appropriate permission for such use and must provide appropriate credit. The IASS provides a sample of the copyright form to be completed by the organizers with specific data for the symposium. For each paper, a signed declaration by the authorized author(s) must be collected by the organizers.
Open Access Policy
Because the authors retain copyright, they may make fair use of the publication, for example, they are free to upload a .pdf of their published contribution on publicly accessible repositories of their institutions immediately following the symposium. Full publication details of the online Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia should be provided along with the .pdf. (Note: final edited copies of the .pdf file can be obtained by the authors either from the digital proceedings of the symposium delivered to all registered attendees or, if they are IASS members, from the online proceedings on the IngentaConnect hosting site.)
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/37374
Citation Details
P. von Buelow and A. Khodadadi, “Computational form exploration of branching columns using concepts of formex algebra and the ParaGen method,” in International Association of Shells and Spatial Structures Annual Symposium 2020/21 and 7th International Conference on Spatial Structures, Surrey, UK, August 2021.