Sustainable Spatial Structures: A Design Approach Using Shape and Topology Optimization to Minimize Environmental Impact and Improve Buildability

The construction industry has a massive impact on climate change, and reducing its environmental impact is a critical challenge that requires innovative solutions. Shape and topology optimization methods can play a crucial role in addressing this issue by optimizing the structural geometry and material distribution. In this paper, we present a novel design approach for optimizing shape, topology, global warming potential and buildability. The proposed approach optimizes the shape and layout of structural elements to minimize the overall embodied energy and carbon emissions of the structure while ensuring that the structure is constructible. The methodology is demonstrated through case studies, the optimized design is evaluated based on the performance criteria and constraints that resulting in significant reduction of design cycle time as well as environmental impact while improving buildability. The research presented in this paper provides valuable insights for designers and engineers seeking to create environmentally sustainable yet elegant spatial structures with optimal buildability.