Optimum topology design of geometrically nonlinear suspended domes using ECBO

Abstract

The suspended dome system is a new structural form that has become popular in the construction of long-span roof structures. Suspended dome is a kind of new pre-stressed space grid structure that has complex mechanical characteristics. In this paper, an optimum topology design algorithm is performed using the enhanced colliding bodies optimization (ECBO) method. The length of the strut, the cable initial strain, the cross-sectional area of the cables and the cross-sectional size of steel elements are adopted as design variables and the minimum volume of each dome is taken as the objective function. The topology optimization on lamella dome is performed by considering the type of the joint connections to determine the optimum number of rings, the optimum number of joints in each ring, the optimum height of crown and tubular sections of these domes. A simple procedure is provided to determine the configuration of the dome. This procedure includes calculating the joint coordinates and steel elements and cables constructions. The design constraints are implemented according to the provision of LRFD-AISC (Load and Resistance Factor Design-American Institute of Steel Constitution). This paper explores the efficiency of lamella dome with pin-joint and rigid-joint connections and compares them to investigate the performance of these domes under wind (according to the ASCE 7-05), dead and snow loading conditions. Then, a suspended dome with pin-joint single-layer reticulated shell and a suspended dome with rigid-joint single-layer reticulated shell are discussed. Optimization is performed via ECBO algorithm to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the ECBO in creating optimal design for suspended domes.