Explore: Digital Workflow and Collaboration
Optimization
Structural Optimization involves re-proportioning components of a structural system relative to the amount they are stressed (or working) under a prescribed loading to ensure that all components are working equally. How hard each element in a system is working can be measured by looking at each component's work density. The target work of a structural system is a deflection at a given point in the system. For a tall building, this may be a deflection at the top of the building to meet a drift criteria (like H/500). For a floor truss, this may be midspan deflection. A simplified example of a Truss Optimization illustrates the concept. The baseline model with a prescribed loading results in a stress distribution as shown in the original work density analysis. Re-proportioning elements to equalize their work densities through optimization results in a final work density analysis model that has less material and the same performance.
Tall Building and Long Span roof system optimizations work the same way however there are many more elements of the structural system to keep track of (beams, columns and walls). Along with each element being proportioned to meet strength requirements, the entire system can be optimized to meet a movement criteria. For a given structural layout and prescribed loading, there is an optimal way of proportioning each element within these larger systems to meet this target deflection. This exercise is Structural Optimization and represents the least amount of structure to meet the demand of the loading.
At HP, we have developed custom scripts that allow us to determine the optimal distribution of structural material in a given system. Additionally, our optimization program also allows us to incorporate design team and real world constraints into our analysis. Structural optimization coupled with other technologies such as parametric modeling can dramatically accelerate the option evaluation process that typically occurs on a daily basis at the competition stage of projects.
