Skip to main content

Sustainable Spatial Structures: A Design Approach Using Shape and Topology Optimization to Minimize Environmental Impact and Improve Buildability

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Shell and Spatial Structures (IWSS 2023)

Abstract

The construction industry has a massive impact on climate change, and reducing its environmental impact is a critical challenge that requires innovative solutions. Shape and topology optimization methods can play a crucial role in addressing this issue by optimizing the structural geometry and material distribution. In this paper, we present a novel design approach for optimizing shape, topology, global warming potential and buildability. The proposed approach optimizes the shape and layout of structural elements to minimize the overall embodied energy and carbon emissions of the structure while ensuring that the structure is constructible. The methodology is demonstrated through case studies, the optimized design is evaluated based on the performance criteria and constraints that resulting in significant reduction of design cycle time as well as environmental impact while improving buildability. The research presented in this paper provides valuable insights for designers and engineers seeking to create environmentally sustainable yet elegant spatial structures with optimal buildability.

Supported by PhD Program of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Austern, G., Capeluto, I.G., Grobman, Y.J.: Rationalization methods in computer aided fabrication: a critical review. Autom. Constr. 90, 281–293 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. BCA: Code of practice on buildability 2022 edn, pp. 1–105. https://www1.bca.gov.sg. Accessed 4 May 2023

  3. Bendsøe, M.: Optimization of Structural Topology, Shape, and Material. Springer, Heidelberg (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-03115-5

    Book  MATH  Google Scholar 

  4. Białkowski, S.: tOpos GPGPUAccelerated Structural Optimisation Utility for Architects in - eCAADe, pp. 679–688 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Dasari, S.K., Fantuzzi, N., Trovalusci, P., Panei, R.: Computational approach for form-finding optimal design. Archit. Struct. Constr. 3, 323–333 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/S44150-022-00077-2

  6. Dasari, S.K., Fantuzzi, N., Trovalusci, P., Panei, R., Pingaro, M.: Optimal design of a canopy using parametric structural design and a genetic algorithm. Symmetry 15, 142 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/sym15010142

  7. Pellis, D., Kilian, M., Pottmann, H., Pauly, M.: Computational design of Weingarten surfaces. ACM Trans. Graph. 40, 4, Article 114 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1145/3450626.3459939

  8. Embodied Carbon Footprint Database - Circular Ecology. https://circularecology.com/embodied-carbon-footprint-database.htm

  9. Svanberg, K.: The method of moving asymptotes - a new method for structural optimization. Int. J. Numer. Methods Eng. 24, 3 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Miller, N., Stasiuk, D.: Negotiating structured building information data. In: B. Sheil, M. R. Thomsen, M. Tamke, S. Hanna (eds.) Design Transactions: Rethinking Information Modelling for a New Material Age, pp. 68–73 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Nourian, P.: Topology on topology and topological data models in geometric modeling of space (2018). https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.16572.74888

  12. Ortner, F.P., Tay, J.Z., Exploring a circular economy solution space A comparative study to develop automated optimisation workflows supported by machine learning for circular design problems. Int. J. Archit. Comput. (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  13. STRUCTURE, Think Formwork - Reduce Costs: https://www.structuremag.org. Accessed 15 May 2023

  14. Tuna, M., Trovalusci, P.: Topology optimization of scale-dependent non-local plates. Struct. Multidisc. Optim. 65, 248 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-022-03351-5

  15. Huang, X., Xie, M.: Evolutionary Topology Optimization of Continuum Structures: Methods and Applications. Wiley, Hoboken (2010)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Saaranya Kumar Dasari .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Dasari, S.K., Trovalusci, P., Fantuzzi, N., Pingaro, M., Panei, R. (2024). Sustainable Spatial Structures: A Design Approach Using Shape and Topology Optimization to Minimize Environmental Impact and Improve Buildability. In: Gabriele, S., Manuello Bertetto, A., Marmo, F., Micheletti, A. (eds) Shell and Spatial Structures. IWSS 2023. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 437. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-44328-2_29

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-44328-2_29

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-44327-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-44328-2

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics