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Developing Structural Solutions for Sustainable and Economical Construction Projects
Modern construction faces the growing challenge of creating sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly designs. By leveraging the capabilities of new digital technologies—such as AI-driven metaheuristic optimization—engineers can achieve optimal structural solutions that balance efficiency, safety, and resource sustainability. A brief video while applying one of the proposed method on topology optimization has been presented on the left.
This research both focuses on Structural Optimization and Reliability Based Design optimization subjects by integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) with metaheuristic optimization techniques to streamline and enhance the design of structural systems. Specifically, it utilizes Visual Programming (VP) tools like Dynamo, paired with structural analysis software like Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis (RSA) or Python libraries, for the optimization of truss structures and complex building forms.
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Research Objectives and Methods
The goal is to provide a more efficient and interconnected framework for building and analyzing structures by utilizing visual programming and artificial intelligence in one seamless environment. The multifaceted approach includes:
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Parametric Design Creation: Using Dynamo, parametric designs are generated, allowing dynamic adjustments to be made based on optimization outputs.
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Structural Analysis Integration: Finite Element Method (FEM) tools are utilized for structural viability checks, ensuring compliance with reliability and safety standards
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Metaheuristic Algorithm Application: AI-based algorithms such as Differential Evolution and Genetic Algorithms are applied to explore a wide solution space and identify optimal structural configurations while considering reliability constraints.
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BIM Integration for Final Optimization: Optimized structural models are automatically imported into Revit for further adjustments, allowing architects and engineers to use LCA tools for environmental and economic analysis.
The integration of BIM tools with metaheuristic algorithms facilitates a more streamlined design process, allowing rapid iterations to be completed while maintaining high levels of safety and environmental consciousness. This approach ensures:
- Sustainability: Reduction of material usage and environmental footprint.
- Collaboration: Enhanced project coordination and data-sharing capabilities among different stakeholders.
- Performance: Ability to meet stringent design requirements even in uncertain conditions while improving overall project efficiency.
This research provides new opportunities for applying AI in construction, making it easier for structural engineers and designers to achieve safe, economical, and resilient designs. Future work will involve expanding the methodology to more complex structures and employing parallel processing for more computationally efficient designs.
Ressources
Journal:
Yavan, F.; Maalek, R.; Toğan, V. Structural Optimization of Trusses in Building Information Modeling (BIM) Projects Using Visual Programming, Evolutionary Algorithms, and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Tools. Buildings 2024, 14, 1532. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061532
Yavan, F.; Maalek, R. Reliability-Constrained Structural Design Optimization Using Visual Programming in Building Information Modeling (BIM) Projects. Appl. Sci. 2025, 15, 1025. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031025
Conference:
Yavan, F.; Maalek, R.; Maalek, S. Enhancing Spatial Truss Designs by Integrating Metaheuristic Optimization Techniques via Visual Programming in BIM-based Projects. Proceedings of IASS annual symposia. Vol. 2024. No. 15. International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS), 2024.
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