STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION OF DOMES STRUCTURES CONSIDERING AESTHETICAL ASPECTS

Resumo

Large-scale domes are commonly used in cultural buildings like stadiums, sports gymnasiums,
hangars, and so on. Given a large number of people that interact with the environment, architectural
aspects are desired in the conception of the structure. This paper deals with sizing structural optimization
problems concerning the minimization of the masses of domes considering axial forces, displacements,
and frequencies as the constraints of the problems. It is very common to use tubular cross-sectional areas
of the members in the structural configuration. In this sense, it may be desirable that the bars should have
the same outer diameters for visual comfort as well as aesthetical aspects. For instance, the designer
may set just one outer diameter as the design variable. Thus limiting the maximum number of different
thicknesses, also as design variables, to be used in the optimized structural configuration. The analyzes
of the domes involve bending and torsion moments. Also, it can be attractive to use a reduced number of
distinct cross-sectional areas minimizing costs of fabrication, transportation, storing, checking, welding,
and so on. As a result, it is expected a labor-saving when the structure is welded, checked, and so on.