Application of Topological Optimization to Bridge Design

Briseghella, Bruno; Fenu, Luigi; Cheng, Longdi; Mazzarolo, Enrico; Zordan, Tobia

doi:10.1061/(asce)be.1943-5592.0000416

Cited by 36 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The iterative numerical procedure redistributes material within a predetermined design domain to optimize a set of performance targets for a given set of loads and boundary conditions 16 . During the past few decades, the approach has become the preferred design tool in automotive 17 and aerospace 18 industries, but less so in civil engineering 19 , though with a few studies of high-rise buildings 20 , concrete reinforcement 21 , as well as bridges [22][23][24] . The limited number of applications in civil Insert in the lower left shows a conventional girder section of the Osman Gazi Bridge with truss diaphragms.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Closing the gap towards super-long suspension bridges using computational morphogenesis

et al. 2020

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Girder design for suspension bridges has remained largely unchanged for the past 60 years. However, for future super-long bridges, aiming at record-breaking spans beyond 3 km, the girder weight is a limiting factor. Here we report on a design concept, inspired by computational morphogenesis procedures, demonstrating possible weight savings in excess of 28 percent while maintaining manufacturability. Although morphogenesis procedures are rarely used in civil engineering, often due to complicated designs, we demonstrate that even a crude extraction of the main features of the optimized design, followed by a simple parametric optimization, results in hitherto unseen weight reductions. We expect that further studies of the proposed design, as well as applications to other structures, will lead to even greater weight savings and reductions in carbon footprint in a construction industry, currently responsible for 39 percent of the world's CO 2 emissions.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Closing the gap towards super-long suspension bridges using computational morphogenesis

et al. 2020

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“…In light of the results detailed above as well as other researchers studying similar structural components (Edgar, 2008;Von Buelow, 2008;Briseghella et al, 2013;Sarkisian, 2011), it is concluded that the topology optimization is a useful tool identifying alternative improved structural beam configurations and improving the in depth understanding of their structural behavior. However, when it was applied to a full length section, the resulting design is generally complex and somewhat difficult to justify and be used in most practical applications.…”

Section: Novel Web Opening Architecturementioning

confidence: 67%

Applications of Topology Optimization in Structural Engineering : High - Rise Buildings and Steel Components

Tsavdaridis¹

2015

jjce

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This study introduces applications of structural topology optimization to buildings and civil engineering structures. Topology optimization problems utilize the firmest mathematical basis, to account for improved weight-to-stiffness ratio and perceived aesthetic appeal of specific structural forms, enabling the solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) technique. Structural topology optimization is a technique for finding the optimum number, location and shape of "openings" within a given continuum subject to a series of loads and boundary conditions. Aerospace and automotive engineers routinely employ topology optimization and have reported significant structural performance gains as a result. Recently, designers of buildings and structures have also started investigating the use of topology optimization, for the design of efficient and aesthetically pleasing developments. This paper examines two examples of where topology optimization may be a useful design tool in civil/structural engineering in or der to overcome the frontiers between civil engineers and engineers from other disciplines. The first example presents the optimized structural design of a geometrically complex high-rise structure and the optimal design of its architectural building shape. The second one focuses on the optimization and design of a perforated steel I-section beam, since such structural members are widely used nowadays in the vast majority of steel buildings and structures while they provide numerous advances. Conclusions ar e drawn regarding the potential benefits to the more widespread implementation of topology optimization within the civil/structural engineering industry.

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“…It has been shown that suitably inserting holes in the shell reduces the shell regions where tensile stresses arise. A perforated shell where stresses were channelled between holes was obtained ( Figure 8) [41,42]. Moreover, some optimization indexes that allow to identify the best hole pattern were also defined [43].…”

Section: Topology Optimization Of the Shell Supporting The Bridge Deckmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shell-supported footbridges

Fenu

Congiu

Marano

et al. 2020

Curved and Layered Structures

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Architects and engineers have been always attracted by concrete shell structures due to their high efficiency and plastic shapes. In this paper the possibility to use concrete shells to support footbridges is explored. Starting from Musmeci’s fundamental research and work in shell bridge design, the use of numerical form-finding methods is analysed. The form-finding of a shell-supported footbridge shaped following Musmeci’s work is first introduced. Coupling Musmeci’s and Nervi’s experiences, an easy construction method using a stay-in-place ferrocement formwork is proposed. Moreover, the advantage of inserting holes in the shell through topology optimization to remove less exploited concrete has been considered. Curved shell-supported footbridges have been also studied, and the possibility of supporting the deck with the shell top edge, that is along a single curve only, has been investigated. The form-finding of curved shell-supported footbridges has been performed using a Particle-Spring System and Thrust Network Analysis. Finally, the form-finding of curved shell-supported footbridges subjected to both vertical and horizontal forces (i.e. earthquake action) has been implemented.

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Application of Topological Optimization to Bridge Design

Cited by 36 publications

References 13 publications

Closing the gap towards super-long suspension bridges using computational morphogenesis

Closing the gap towards super-long suspension bridges using computational morphogenesis

Applications of Topology Optimization in Structural Engineering : High - Rise Buildings and Steel Components

Shell-supported footbridges

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