Integrated Parametric Shaping of Curvilinear Steel Bar Structures of Canopy Roofs

Jolanta Dzwierzynska

doi:10.3390/buildings9030072

Abstract

Shaping building objects is conditioned by many interrelated factors, both architectural and structural. Modern tools for shaping structures working in the environment of Rhinoceros 3D such as Grasshopper and Karamba 3D enable algorithmic-aided shaping structures, while allowing the free flow of information between the geometric model and structural model. The aim of the research is to use these tools to test the curvilinear steel bar roofs’ structures shaped based on Catalan surfaces as well as to select the most efficient structure. Three types of roof structures were analyzed: cylindroid shape, conoid shape, and hyperbolic paraboloid shape. In order to find the most preferred structural form, evolutionary structural optimization was carried out, which allowed, among others, to determine optimal discretization of the base surface, as well as optimal positions of supporting columns. As the optimization criterion, the minimum mass of the structure was assumed. The most effective structure turned out to be a structure based on hyperbolic paraboloid supported by multi-branch columns. The use of a roof with the above structure is beneficial not only because of the low weight of the structure compared to the analyzed structures, but also due to the possibility of using flat panels on the roof.

Highlights

During the last twenty years the advancement of digital technologies has influenced the whole field of architectural and structural engineering design [1]
Each Catalan surface is determined by two directrix lines and the director plane to which all surface
Analyzing the results presented in the above table, it can be stated that the structure with the roof of hyperbolic paraboloid shape is the lightest and the most economical

Summary

Introduction

During the last twenty years the advancement of digital technologies has influenced the whole field of architectural and structural engineering design [1]. Digital media were used initially as a representative tools, they soon became a convenient means for shaping structures. Computer-aided design enabled the generation of digital models, the visualization of their geometry, as well as the analysis of the structural behavior of the shaped systems. This progress in designing caused by the development of computer technology has led to the need of cooperation in various areas of design [9,10]. Building Information Modeling as the approach to 3D modeling gave both architecture and civil engineering opportunities to streamline the design process by filling gaps in communication between participants of the design process: architects and structural engineers [10,11,12]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion