Structural optimization of four designed roof modules: Inspired by Voronax grid shell structures

Abstract

Architects have been following nature in their constructions for a long time. Observations of nature reveal that it has many highly developed structures that provide scientists and engineers with a lot of useful clues for creating more efficient structures and building forms. Therefore, revealing systematic thinking about natural species is a crucial requirement for today’s buildings. A software analysis method was used to design four modules in the roof structure of the Iranian University of Science and Technology’s exhibition. The roof structure is based on the Voronax structure, which is a relaxed formof Voronoi, which is seen in the structures ofmany natural creatures. They were analyzed in terms of optimization and structural simulation using Grass-hopper plugins and tools by taking into account VonMises stress in the structural design. The results indicated that by increasing the density of Voronax cells in the areaswith high Von Mises stress concentration, a more efficient structure could be achieved in terms of load-bearing and designing predefined free-form roof structures. By analyzing predefined roof structures in an optimum way, the study took a step toward optimizing these kinds of structures.

Key words： Bionic architecture; Voronax structure; Optimization; Grid shells structure; Free-form shell