ABSTRACT
There is a gradual rise in movements for the realization of a circular economy and the resolution of environmental issues by presenting modern architectural form that proposes new materials, constructions, and lifestyles that reduce the environmental cost. In modern architecture, thin-shell structures are widely used especially on roofs of buildings, such as the roof of Kresge Auditorium at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), because it is easy to make architectural forms look beautiful.
To uses less material to obtain the aesthetic and high stiffness roof, designing structural optimization is an easy way to reduce construction costs and improve the service life of structures. This study uses the non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) method and finite element method as free-form surface technology to build thin-shell structures to improve stiffness of these structures. After obtaining the optimal thin-shell structure, add the principal stress line to improve the stiffness of this thin-shell structure in the same volume. Use the principal stress lines of different layers in the flat plate to create the stiffening beams under the thin-shell structure, which adds to the stiffness of the thin-shell structure.
Applying these techniques to solve real shell structure optimization problems will be practical optimal designs. Consequently, this technique allows engineers and architects to design aesthetic shape structures with high stiffness and low cost.
