StructuralComponentsDevelopment of parametric associative design tools for the structuraldesign of high‐rise buildings

This MSC thesis discusses the development of structural designtools, called StructuralComponents. The objective is to create

design of high rise buildings

Janwillem Breider

TU Delft / Arup

HI

, p jtools that support the engineer in the conceptual structuraldesign of high‐rise structures.

The tools are based on the parametric associative designapproach. StructuralComponents is the collection of new featuresin an existing parametric associative design software application,GenerativeComponents.Prior to the development of these tools a literature study hasbeen conducted on the typology and behaviour of high rise

Jeroen Coenders

TU Delft / ArupTU Delft / Arup

GHR

been conducted on the typology and behaviour of high‐risebearing structures. This resulted in a classication of modern dayhigh‐rise structures.

The development of StructuralComponents is based on a Lego‐block and dashboard approach. The Lego‐block approach providesversatility and flexibility to the user, the dashboard approachenables the engineer to have all relevant information available inone single view.

TU Delft / Arup

?ISE

An analysis method has been developed that suits the parametricassociative nature of the tools. The analysis method is acombination of finite element analysis principles, and classicalmechanics which describe the behaviour by the use of differentialequations. This approach offers real‐time analysis. The parts ofthe structure are modelled as large blocks and can be used tocompose a structural design. The analysis method is considerablymore accurate than rules of thumb or basic simplified mechanics,

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StructuralComponents is a tool that is quicker and easier to use then large FE models, but more powerful than simple mechanics.

E more accurate than rules of thumb or basic simplified mechanics,and faster than large FEM models.

The structural design tools can be applied for various designscenarios. One can evaluate multiple structural designalternatives and multiple load cases on the same structuresimultaneously. StructuralComponents offers a lot of freedom interms of possible structural configurations. One can evaluateoverall behaviour, but one can also monitor specific values. Theuser can adapt his output and the display of the output to his ownuser can adapt his output and the display of the output to his owndesire. At the moment, StructuralComponents is limited to 2Dmodelling.

The process of development has shown that the parametricassociative design approach offers a lot of possibilities forcomputational conceptual structural design. Integrating structuralintelligence in tools based on this approach enables structuralengineers to design more effectively and efficiently, whilst

The dashboard display shows all relevant information in one view.

sitting next to an architect, instead of lagging behind in terms ofease and computation.