A generative design-to-BIM workflow for minimum weight plane truss design

Abstract

Structural design has a significant impact on the overall cost of truss structures. In order to reduce the cost of a structure it is important to support designers' decision making starting from the early design phase. In this study, an optimization workflow is proposed, developed and implemented using well known generative design and Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools to achieve a cost-optimal design of a truss structure in the early design phase. Generative design aims to develop products that are lighter, stronger, more efficient and tailored to the specific needs of end users. Generative design tools allow users to create efficient designs via optimizing factors such as cost, weight, energy efficiency and performance. The aim of this study was to develop an optimization workflow to find and model the minimum weight / minimum cost design alternative in the early design phase using generative design, structural analysis and BIM tools in an integrated manner. The goal for the optimization was determined as finding the minimum weight (thus minimum cost) structure among the generated design alternatives. The single span steel truss was selected as the structure to be optimized, and optimization scenarios were prepared and implemented to determine the structural components of the truss with minimum weight. The results demonstrated that through integrated use of structural analysis, generative design and BIM tools minimum-weight truss design can be realized easily and practically.

Evaluation Study on the Application Effect of Intelligent Construction Technology in the Construction Process

“…Dos Santos, FC [21] et al analyzed the problems and challenges of managing building information during the construction phase of a project at this stage from the point of view of managing building performance information and proposed a tool that can validate the building performance requirements of different stakeholders and support the integration of this information into BIM. Malgit, Berk [22] et al proposed to find the lowest-cost design alternative in an integrated manner by using structural analysis, derivative design, and BIM tools in the design phase to find the minimum weight structure among the generated design alternatives with a view of achieving minimum weight truss design.…”

Implementation of Building Information Modeling Technologies in Wood Construction: A Review of the State of the Art from a Multidisciplinary Approach

“…The intersection between BIM and wood construction is a key factor in the industrialization of construction processes [12,13] because when BIM tools are used accurate and detailed models of wood buildings can be created. These models help architects, engineers, and designers to achieve a better project visualization, identify potential issues, and optimize the design before actual construction [14,15]. In addition, this leads to more efficient planning and reduces errors during the construction phase [16].…”