1st Italian Workshop on Shell and Spatial Structures

25 – 26 June 2020

Optimization of diagrid geometry based on the

desirability function approach
G. Lacidogna
Lacidogna,, D. Scaramozzino,
Scaramozzino, A. Carpinteri
Department of Structural, Geotechnical and Building Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy
 Introduction
Nowadays diagrid systems are employed worldwide for the realization of tall
buildings since they allow to achieve remarkable architectural effects providing an
efficient mechanism to limit lateral displacements1.

Being composed by an assembly of trusses, diagrid systems are suitable for

optimization
ti i ti procedures
d if changing
h i geometrical
t i l parameters,
t suchh as the
th
inclination of the external diagonals.

Such optimization procedures are generally carried out by means of Finite Element
models2, focusing mostly on diagrid lateral rigidity.

To perform the structural analysis of diagrid systems, a matrix-

matrix-based method has
been recently proposed, which is able to provide information not only on the
diagrid lateral flexibility but also on the torsional flexibility3.

1. Scaramozzino D., Lacidogna G., Carpinteri A. New trends towards enhanced structural efficiency and
aesthetic potential in tall buildings
buildings:: The case of diagrids
diagrids.. Applied Sciences
Sciences,, 10 (2020),
2020), 3917.
3917.

2. Tomei V., Imbimbo M., Mele E. Optimization of structural patterns for tall buildings:
buildings: The case of
diagrids.. Engineering Structures
diagrids Structures,, 171 (2018
2018),
), 280
280--297
297..

3. Lacidogna G., Scaramozzino D., Carpinteri A. A matrix matrix--based method for the structural analysis of
diagrid systems
systems.. Engineering Structures
Structures.. 193 (2019),
2019), 340-
340-352.
352. 2
 Introduction
Recently, it has been shown that the optimal diagrid geometry depends on the need
to limit the lateral displacements of the structure or the torsional flexibility4.

Moreover, besides minimizing the lateral and torsional flexibility, the goal is also to
use the lowest amount of structural material as well as to design a structure that is
feasible from a constructing process perspective
perspective..

multi-response
A multi- p multi-
multi-objective
j optimization
p p
process needs therefore to be carried
out to find out the best diagrid geometry to limit both the lateral and torsional
flexibility, as well as the mass and complexity of the structure.

In this contribution, we make use of the desirability function approach,

approach, proposed by
Derringer and Suich5, to investigate the optimal diagrid geometry to limit the four
response variables discussed above.
above

4. Lacidogna G., Scaramozzino D., Carpinteri A. The influence of the geometrical shape on the structural
behavior of diagrid tall buildings under lateral and torque actions.
actions. Developments in the Built Environment.
Environment.
2 (2020),
2020), 100009.
100009.

5. Derringer G., Suich R. Simultaneous optimization of several response variables

variables.. Journal of Quality
Technology.. 4 (1980),
Technology 1980), 214-
214-219.
219. 3
 Diagrid Systems
Diagrid (Diagonal + Grid) is a type of reticular tube structure composed
of bars generally arranged diagonally in which axial stresses are
predominant.
predominant
d i t.

M. Rostami et al,
al, Evaluation of new hexagrid structural G. Angelucci et al,
al, Diagrid structural systems for Swiss Re Building, Londra, 2004
system in bionic high
high--rise buildings, 4th. Internt.
Internt. Conf. on tall buildings: Changing pattern configuration 180 meters – 40 floors
Modern Research in Civil Engineering, Archithectural and through topological assessments, Struct
Struct.. Design
Development, Barcelona – Spain, 2016
Urban Development, Build., 2017
Tall Spec. Build.,
4
Matrix--based method (MBM) for the structural analysis
Matrix
The proposed method is original and consists in the direct calculation of the
diagrid stiffness matrix (based on the definition of the stiffness coefficients)
coefficients).
It is based on the following assumptions, which are meant to simplify the
mathematical formulation while allowing to capture the global structural
behavior:

((i)) the diagonals

g are supposed
pp to be onlyy subjected
j to axial force,,
remaining into the linear elastic regime;
(ii) the floors included within the triangular modules are neglected, thus
the local bending and shear deformations of the diagonals are not
taken into account;
(iii) the considered floors, i.e. the ones lying at the end of the pinned
diagonals, are assumed to remain plane after deformation, so that they
can be treated as rigid bodies in the space characterized by six degrees
of freedom.

3. Lacidogna G., Scaramozzino D., Carpinteri A., A matrix

matrix--based method for the structural analysis of
diagrid systems, Engineering Structures
Structures,, 193 (2019),
2019), 340-
340-352.
352.
5
Matrix--based method (MBM) for the structural analysis
Matrix
The structure, which is considered into a threethree--dimensional reference
system XYZ, is subjected to concentrated forces and moments, acting at
the level of the floor centroids
centroids,, and grouped into the 6N generalized force
vector {F }, being N the number of floors
floors..
Accordingly, the building undergoes floor displacements and rotations,
Accordingly,
6N generalized displacement vector {δ } .
which can be grouped into the 6N

{F } = [ K ]{δ }

3. Lacidogna G., Scaramozzino D., Carpinteri A., A matrix

matrix--based method for the structural analysis of
diagrid systems, Engineering Structures
Structures,, 193 (2019),
2019), 340-
340-352.
352.
6
Matrix--based method (MBM) for the structural analysis
Matrix
Generalized Hooke’s law (6 DOFs per floor)

{Fx },{Fy } ,{Fz } vectors containing the floor forces;

{M z } vector of the floor torque moments;
{Mx},{M y} vectors containing the out-
out-of-
of-plane moments;
{δ x },{δ y } ,{δ z } vectors containing the displacements;
{φz } vector of the in
in--plane torsional rotations,
{φx},{φy} vectors containing the out-
out-of-
of-plane rotations.
The global stiffness matrix is a symmetric 6N
6N×6N matrix, partitioned
based on the six degrees of freedom of each floor
floor..
7
 Optimization of geometrical characteristics
Diagonal inclination and plane shape

Diagonal angles
angles:: from 35
35°° to 84
84°°
Total height:
height: 168 m
Total number of floors
floors:: 48
4. Lacidogna G., Scaramozzino D., Carpinteri A. The influence of the geometrical shape on the structural
behavior of diagrid tall buildings under lateral and torque actions.
actions. Developments in the Built Environment.
Environment.
8
2 (2020),
2020), 100009.
100009.
 Response variables

2. Tomei V., Imbimbo M., Mele E. Optimization of structural patterns for tall buildings:
buildings: The case of
diagrids.. Engineering Structures
diagrids Structures,, 171 (2018),
2018), 280-
280-297.
297.

4. Lacidogna G., Scaramozzino D., Carpinteri A. The influence of the geometrical shape on the structural
behavior of diagrid tall buildings under lateral and torque actions.
actions. Developments in the Built Environment.
Environment. 9
2 (2020),
2020), 100009.
100009.
 Desirability function

5. Derringer G., Suich R. Simultaneous optimization of several response variables

variables.. Journal of Quality
Technology.. 4 (1980),
Technology 1980), 214-
214-219.
219. 10
 Results – Desirability values Di

Floor plan shape →

Square Hexagon Octagon Circle
Number of floors per module ↓

0 0 0 0
0.831 0.845 0.850 0.855
0.952 0.956 0.959 0.959
0.851 0.851 0.851 0.850
0.895 0.888 0.886 0.881
0.249 0.206 0.186 0

From the outcomes, we find that the optimal solutions always

correspond
p to the diagrid
g structures with 3 floors per
p module,, with a
diagonal inclination close to 65°
65°. The influence of the specific floor plan
shape is less evident, although the circular shape is the one exhibiting
th highest
the hi h t desirability
d i bilit value.
value
l .
11
 Results – Desirability values Di

The outcomes can also be plotted onto surface representations, where the
maximum
i off the
th surface
f corresponds
d tot the
th optimal
ti l geometrical
t i l
configuration..
configuration
12
 Conclusions and future works

In this contribution, we made use of the desirability function approach to

investigate the optimal diagrid geometry to minimize both the lateral and
torsional flexibility, as well as the mass and complexity of the diagrid
structure.

Considering a 168 meter tall building, we found that the diagonal angle is
tthee most
ost important
po ta t pa
parameter
a ete tthat
at aaffects
ects the
t e desirability
des ab ty va value.
ue. Thee
optimal value is found around 65
65°°, with a negligible dependence on the floor
plan shape.

In future works, we will apply the same analysis to thousands of different

structures with varying diagonal angles along the height of the building.

Moreover, the influence of the building aspect ratio on the optimal geometry
will be investigated.
investigated.

The feasible time of the calculations will be allowed by the low

computational
t ti l costt off the
th matrix-
matrix
t i -based
b d method.
th d
13