Evaluation of a Novel Approach for Automated Inventive Conceptual Design of Building Structures

Abstract

This research is dedicated to assessment of a method that was earlier proposed and developed in order to increase the degree of automation and software involvement into conceptual decision making during design of structural elements of buildings. Such instruments of the theory of inventive problem solving as contradiction and function analysis and trimming formed the basis of the proposed approach that was realized in a modern building information modeling software. The common logic of the approach is also provided in the article. Qualitative research methods and particularly collecting, analyzing and interpreting data were applied in this research. Firstly, a literature review of indexed journal articles in the field of the study was performed and some trends for possible development of the topic were identified. Secondly, a survey of potential users of the methodology was conducted and analyzed. The questionnaire results showed that the suggested method and its technical realization gained attraction among respondents, however, some of them are rather cautious regarding application of the approach potentials in their practice. The paper ends with evaluation results discussion, conclusion and proposals for further research.