Structural layout optimization framework of tall buildings subjected to wind load
Abstract
Conventional design methodology for tall buildings is a time-consuming and repetitive trial-anderror procedure with a limited probability of yielding an optimal solution that satisfies
architectural, structural and serviceability requirements. Tall buildings are typically slender
structures and mainly depend on a Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS) (e.g., shear
walls, cores, and bracing systems) to withstand the lateral load of wind events, where a minor
change in their layout, size, or shape will affect the cost tremendously. Consequently, a structural
layout optimization procedure will result in a more economical and sustainable design. Most
previous studies focused on developing optimization frameworks and algorithms that rely on using
static wind loads. Even with the adoption of dynamic wind load, the focus was on the vertical
layout of the lateral load-resisting systems in a simplified form and as a single objective
optimization due to the demanding computational costs. Therefore, the first and main objective of
this research is to develop a novel structure-wind optimization framework (SWOF) to find the
optimal horizontal (e.g., shear wall) layout of tall buildings subjected to wind loads. SWOF is
considered a genetic algorithm-based framework that uses a data-driven surrogate model to
evaluate its constraints and objective functions. These surrogate models rely on a training dataset
prepared using the Finite Element Method (FEM), which has been created using an open
application program interface (OAPI) MATLAB code. [...]