Design Optimization of Tree-Shaped Structural Systems and Sustainable Architecture Using Bamboo and Earthen Materials
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 27, Issue 4
Abstract
The objective of this research is to support sustainable architecture where renewable materials (such as plant-based materials and soil) are used for construction. The use of renewable materials and earthen building techniques in structural design represent important construction practices to mitigate the associated carbon footprint. In this study we propose structural systems that will be constructed using renewable materials such as bamboo, that probably is the most well-known renewable material and has long been valued as an alternative to wood. The main goal of the study is to design tree-shaped structural systems using the advanced characteristics of Guadua angustifolia, a clumping variety of bamboo chiefly native to South America, and to test its effectiveness by means of a structural parametric design optimization approach. For this purpose, an elliptical and a quadrangular structural system is parametrized and optimized to effectively support the design loads imposed by the roof that is supported by the proposed structural systems.
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Acknowledgments
This research has been supported by the ADDOPTML project: “ADDitively Manufactured OPTimized Structures by means of Machine Learning” (No. 101007595) belonging to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) H2020-MSCA-RISE-2020.
Notation
The following symbols are used in this paper:
- F1, F2
- foci of the elliptical transverse section (m);
- R0
- radius of the lower transverse section (m);
- R1
- radius of the middle transverse section (m);
- R2
- radius of the upper transverse section (m);
- T0, T1, T2
- poles thickness (cm);
- disp
- maximum displacement allowed (cm);
- ,
- domain belongs to the foci of the ellipse (m);
- h0
- height of the lower transverse section (m);
- h1
- height of the middle transverse section (m);
- h2
- height of the upper transverse section (m);
- u
- variables segment in horizontal direction (number of horizontal poles);
- v
- variables segment in vertical direction (number of vertical poles); and
- ,
- poles diameter (cm).
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Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 27 • Issue 4 • December 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 1, 2020
Accepted: May 26, 2021
Published online: Aug 6, 2021
Published in print: Dec 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Jan 6, 2022
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