Optimal design of nonlinear large-scale suspendome using cascade optimization

Abstract

Large-scale suspendomes are elegant architectural structures which cover a vast area with no interrupting columns in the middle. These domes have attractive shapes which are also economical. Domes are built in a wide variety of forms. In this article, an algorithm is developed for optimum design of domes considering the topology, geometry, and size of member section using the cascade-enhanced colliding bodies optimization method. In large-scale space steel structures, a large number of design variables are involved. The idea of cascade optimization allows a single optimization problem to be tackled in a number of successive autonomous optimization stages. The variables are the optimum height of crown and tubular sections of these domes, the initial strain, the length of the struts, and the cross-sectional areas of the cables in the tensegrity system of domes. The number of joints in each ring and the number of rings are considered for topology optimization of ribbed and Schwedler domes. Weight of the dome is taken as the objective function for minimization. A simple procedure is defined to determine the configuration of the domes. The design constraints are considered according to the provisions of Load and Resistance Factor Design–American Institute of Steel Constitution. In order to investigate the efficiency of the presented method, a large-scale suspendome with more than 2266 members is investigated. Numerical results show that the utilized method is an efficient tool for optimal design of large-scale domes. Additionally, in this article, a topology and geometry optimization for two common ribbed and Schwedler domes are performed to find their optimum graphs considering various spans.