Generalized response spectrum analysis based computational morphogenesis for metal gridshells with buckling-restrained braces subjected to seismic loading

Abstract

Structural morphogenesis is widely used as a parametric tool to find an optimal structural shape of shell structures for a prescribed objective function and a given design load. However, the current optimization methods are limited to finding a geometry under only a specific static load like the dead load or an equivalent static seismic load for predefined geometrical shapes, and so can not be applied to free-form gridshells. This poses a challenge to achieving an efficient free-form shell structure in high seismic hazard areas. This paper aims to resolve this by presenting a computational morphogenesis method to obtain form-found shell structures by considering the dynamic seismic loads and the response reduction effects of seismic energy-dissipating devices using generalized response spectrum analysis. The method was applied to optimize the buckling-restrained brace layouts on target spherical metal gridshell structures with different diameter-to-height ratios. The resulting form-found structures had an efficient roof geometry, along with an efficient damper layout (to prevent member buckling and the dropout of finishing materials). Dampers were found to be more efficient if placed in the (relatively heavy) supporting structure instead of the roof, and a flattened but locally bulged roof shape proved to be the most efficient in mitigating the seismic response. The generalized response spectrum analysis significantly reduced the computation time while evaluating the displacement response with sufficient practical accuracy, although it slightly underestimates the acceleration response if compared to the conventional nonlinear response history analysis results.