Algorithms-Aided Design utilized in Structural Design
Abstract
For long, productivity within the construction industry has comparatively fallen in contrast to its sister engineering fields(Teicholz 2004). Structural engineers, which are tasked with producing precise and reliable reference for the builders at the building site can directly influence the productivity by delivering high quality and error free deliverables as well as being able to quickly reiterate on designs if necessary. To accommodate the need to increase productivity, structural engineers are looking at technologies like Algorithms-Aided Design(AAD) when producing their deliverables. AAD methods like Parametric Design has already seen noticeable adoption(Lee, J. et al 2014) and has provided possibilities to generate precise and highly customizable BIM-Models. Furthermore, as part of the structural design is to analyze structures, Analysis Models for Finite Element Analysis(FEA) is needed. in similar fashion to BIM-Models, Analysis Models can be produced parametrically. By doing so, additional innovative technologies are enabled. Generative Design which is one of them, provide optimization routines which can aid in the pursuit of optimal solutions given a set of criteria. In collaboration with Multiconsult, this thesis explores 9 cases where such AAD methods has been applied. The learnings from these cases together with feedback from industry professionals has served as foundation to define proposed workflows within three areas, parametric BIM-Models, parametric Analysis Models and finally, Generative Design of structures. These workflows inherit characteristics that when followed yielded consistent and reliable results.