Investigation of optimization techniques on structural-acoustical shaped concrete slabs in buildings

Abstract

Computational tools have become integrated into design practice at the building scale and component scale. While there has been a resurgence of optimization techniques in room acoustics, research has been limited on utilizing optimization techniques on building components, such as a building's structural floor. Quality design solutions must be found at the component scale to accommodate for increased urbanization, environmental concerns, building utilization, and the well-being of the occupants, especially in relation to the tenants' acoustic environment. This presentation will discuss the use of several design space exploration and optimization approaches to generate and consider multiple permutations of shaped concrete floor designs. The shape of the ribbed slab will be varied in order to improve both the embodied energy of the concrete slab, which is proportional to mass, as well as the sound transmission class (STC). Three computational techniques (Latin Hypercube Sampling, multi-objective evolutionary optimization and constrained optimization) will be used to determine trade-offs in the design. The advantages and disadvantages of each technique will be highlighted with respect to the trade-off between reduced mass and improved STC. Finally, the importance of model resolution will be discussed in early design space exploration and optimization procedures.

A Many-Objective Joint Parallel Simulation Method for Acoustic Optimization Design of Sound-Absorbing Structures

“…, z min M ) is constructed. The objective function is transformed according to Equation (17) [19] as follows:…”

“…Torre et al [16] have designed an efficient method for calculating the acoustic transmission losses by combining the analytical and numerical methods. Broyles et al [17] have combined hypercubic sampling with constrained optimization in order to enhance the implied energy and sound transmission levels of the hybrid slab. Sanders et al [18] have applied a gradient-based partial differential equation constrained optimization method that has realized the optimal continuous radial distribution of solid elastic materials, thereby constructing a gradual acoustic cloak with effective low-frequency sound absorption.…”

Evaluation of the dynamic response for scaled models of shaped concrete floor slabs

“…The concrete floor models presented in this work are designed to resist the same structural load, corresponding to typical ASCE 7-10 35 floor requirements scaled to the experiment. Further details of the structural design and performance can be found in Broyles et al 34,36…”