ABSTRACT

Improvement of the preliminary structural scheme can reduce the project cost and workload of repeated computation. To obtain a good preliminary structural scheme, a basic framework of generalized parametric structural design is proposed. Expert systems provide alternative structural systems based on experts’ knowledge or existing structures without detailed information of structural systems. Topological optimization plays the role of concretizing the structural systems with higher structural rationality by parametric modelling tools. Size optimization leads to feasible structural scheme by considering code-related constraints, and provides a credible comparison among different structural systems. The applicability of different topological and size optimization algorithms in generalized parametric structural design are discussed. The idea of interactive design is integrated in the optimization process of shape and topologies to consider preference of different designers. Five problems remain to be solved in the future are given. With the help of advanced parametric modelling and intelligent algorithms, generalized parametric structural design creates a reliable way to realize intelligent structure design.