I am going to expand on my Generative Design Study from Module 7.
Intended users
This tool will be targeted more towards the partners to structural engineering firms, as it will be a tool that simplifies the structural engineering portion of a building design. For example, this tool may be particularly helpful for architects who want to get a quick understanding of a structure’s layout of columns or slab thicknesses, while still making sure the design will be valid under ASCE 7-22 codes. It may also be helpful for structural engineers who want a quick check for simple member sizing of a whole structure, before fully diving into detailed calculations for a project.
Need you’re trying to provide a solution or support for
This tool will simplify calculations and structural checks for simple rectangular shaped column/bay layout, and potentially for more varied footprints as well. The design decision currently takes a lot of time when initial designs go between the owner, architect, structural engineers, etc. This tool can simplify that first initial structural framing design process and give helpful dimension and cost estimates early on before spending costs on hiring the engineer/architect/constractor, etc.
Inputs
- Area Load on structure
- Max Column Spacing
- Max Beam Spacing
- Max Height
- Max Bay spacing
- Desired Steel Section (different ones for columns, beams, and girders) → Potentially expand to multiple material types if time allows
- Seismic Risk → Potentially develop to other lateral force resisting systems
- Max Footing Sizes
- Structure Height → Potentially develop to multi-floor structural analysis
Constants - Material properties, dimensions depending on the section chosen. Max footprint (length/width), earthquake ground acceleration value (based on the estimated risk)
Underlying logic of the model you’ll implement
I am going to expand on my Generative Design Study in Dynamo from Module 7. I want to add some additional design variables listed above. Currently, my logic consists of beam deflection calculations using simply supported beam equations based on area loads. For the amount of open floor space, I take the area between the columns, but I want to expand this to have more varied column spacing configurations (ever other grid has a column, etc.). Right now, this is limited by the maximum footprint spacing, but I want to add that it is dictated by beam deflection limits
The structural weight is based on the steel section sizes used multiplied by the total length of the members, but I want to expand to using different section sizes for columns, girders, and beams, and update the calculation accordingly with new weights. The number of connections is calculated based on the number of joining nodes of the beams to girders, then girder to columns, which is dependent on final column and bay spacing combined. I want to add a cost element to this to better quantify this output. Finally, the column cantilever deflection is based on the seismic risk and the amount of lateral force, following ASCE 7-22 drift equations. I want to add more variations in the potential ground motion acceleration by using the ASCE Hazard Tool, which will be more realistic. I also want to add footing calculations, so I will calculation the axial load in the column based on load transfer, and then run overturning calculations to determine the required footing size.
Outputs
- Beam Deflections
- Max Open Area between Columns
- Structural Weight
- Number of Connections/ Cost of Connection number + types
- Column cantilever deflection
- Required Footing Size
Timeline
I will first spend about 3-4 hours to debug and update my existing generative design logic to have more of the nuances I listed above. I will also spend the time to check that my calculations are correct. Then, I will spend another 4-5 hours developing the new logic inputs/outputs above. I expect I will need another 1-2 hours spend to debug any issues. Finally, I will take 2-3 hours finishing the final documentation for submission. This should add up to approximately 12 hours for the 4-unit coursework.