Optimal design of structures using cyber-physical wind tunnel experiments with mechatronic models

Multi-Objective Optimal Design of a Building Envelope and Structural System Using Cyber-Physical Modeling in a Wind Tunnel

“…The present work expands on the proof-of-concept study presented in Whiteman et al (2018), investigating the appropriateness of different types of optimization algorithms, both stochastic and non-stochastic, for implementation in a CPS framework. Additionally, multi-objective optimization is integrated with consideration of both components and cladding (C&C) and main wind force resisting system (MWFRS).…”

“…Recently, Whiteman et al (2018) proposed a new application of CPS in civil engineering-the partitioning of the optimization process. The approach was applied to wind engineering through cyberinfrastructure-augmented boundary layer wind tunnel (BLWT) modeling.…”

“…This approach was named "loop-in-the-model" testing because the model undergoes physical change as it approaches the optimal solution. As a proof-of-concept, Whiteman et al (2018) implemented singleobjective optimization using particle swarm optimization (PSO) to minimize roof suction pressures on a low-rise building with a mechatronic parapet.…”

“…The specimen represents a building with a bundled tube structure (Ali and Moon, 2007), reminiscent of the Willis (Sears) Tower in Illinois and Carnegie Hall Tower in New York. The structure selected for evaluation in this study is a lowrise building with a parapet wall of variable height developed in Whiteman et al (2018). The windward roof edges on low-rise buildings cause a separation of the boundary layer and generate vortex flow with large suction loading that is particularly severe for oblique approaching wind angles.…”

“…The MO-PSO algorithm was implemented to minimize the magnitude of suction on the roof, while also minimizing the base shear of the structure. The GSS and MO-PSO algorithms were then compared with the single-objective PSO of Whiteman et al (2018). Experiments were conducted in the BLWT located at the University of Florida Experimental Facility (UFEF) of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Natural Hazard Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) program.…”