Visual Programming as Modern and Effective Structural Design Technology—Analysis of Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Developments Based on the Use of Dynamo

Abstract

This study is dedicated to technology based on visual programming as a modern tool to support the design of building structures. It provides a brief background describing the computerization of design and discusses design-aided systems and the concept and tools of visual programming. The principles of the Visual Programming Language (VPL) are presented in detail. The programming and design environments used in the architecture and construction industry are presented. Dynamo, one of the VPL-based programs applicable to structural design, was used in the study. In order to best demonstrate and explore the capabilities of this environment, examples of the practical application of visual programming in structural design are presented. Both simple and more complex structures have been designed and discussed in detail. The integration of Dynamo with computational systems is also presented. A broad discussion was held on the possibilities of using visual programming in structural design, the problems and challenges, and the directions of its development in the architecture and construction industry.