Effective Automated Design of Building Models for Torsional Flexibility and Lateral Stability
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2023-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Despite making rapid progress in the field of earthquake science, seismologists are still unable to forecast the occurrence of the big one. Earthquake forces are unpredictable by nature, and sophisticated analysis and design options cannot guarantee complete safety of a structure against an earthquake. Therefore, current and emerging design philosophies require regularity to be one of the main considerations when designing a structure. Regular structures are capable of withstanding earthquake forces much better than irregular structures. Torsional regularity is the most important criterion for determining regularity of a structure. The drift sensitivity coefficient (𝜃), a parameter that describes stability of a structure, is another parameter that needs due attention during design of buildings.
However, calculating parameters that describe both torsional regularity and stability of a structure can be very tedious. For this reason, structural designers often tend to create approximate methods of calculating these parameters. Nonetheless, these parameters are of great importance, therefore it is essential to avoid using approximate methods and results. Moreover, it is a common trend to increase the cost of the structure just so that calculation of these parameters is omitted.
To address these problems, a software program that can calculate these parameters effortlessly is developed. This program, unlike the conventional approach, is also capable of solving stability and torsional rigidity issues simultaneously. With the use of parametric data, the program is capable of suggesting strategic wall locations and making the necessary structural modifications that can address both issues. This approach prevents worsening of torsional rigidity behaviour while taking structural measures for solving stability issues, eliminating the need for excessive usage of structural members like walls.
The software interacts with conventional structural design software to extract required data, to analyze status, detect problems and suggests solutions to create a sound structural system. Through the developed graphical user interface, the solutions are reported to the user, and capability of applying the solutions automatically is one of the features of the program. The program employs fuzzy logic to determine depth of detected problem, aiding designers foresee extent of required structural modifications. Proper functioning of the program is verified by replicating an example done by Eurocode designers guide.
Description
Keywords
Torsional Flexibility, Automated Design, Lateral Stability, Building Models