Pre-Design Assessment of Demountable Short Superstructures

Rijkswaterstaat aims to build circularly from 2030 onward, with the purpose of having a fully circular economy by 2050. Therefore, the aim of this study is to design a reusable modular superstructure, with a small span, which can replace an existing so-called volstortligger superstructure. This is a structure that Dura Vermeer often uses and it...

Influence of Initial Mesh Topology on the Optimal Structural Design of Steel Space Frame Structures

Space frame structures today are a common choice of load bearing system for achieving long spans with minimal interruptions of the floor plan beneath. On top of that, the versatility of space frame structures to conform to any shape makes them particularly interesting today, especially in the context of free-form geometry which is becoming ever...

Balancing design and circularity: Optimizing the reuse of steel elements in the design of frame structures

The steel sector is responsible for 4-5% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the world. Reusing structural steel elements can potentially decrease the need for the production of new steel. However, designing a load-bearing structure with reusable elements poses challenges to the design process. The starting point of the process is different...

Shadow cost optimization of the main bearing construction of industrial halls: Development of an optimization methodology for industrial halls that combines shadow price data with a structural parametric model and generative design

The purpose of this thesis is to determine the most optimal material use and configuration of structural elements with regard to minimizing shadow costs associated with the main bearing construction of industrial halls. Central themes in thesis are reusability, parametric modelling and generative design. <br/><br/>The construction sector is...

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of Timber High-Rise: Research and Development of a Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Tool

There are two main challenges in the construction industry: carbon emissions and densification in cities. Timber high-rise might prove as a suitable solution to both these challenges. However, there is a lack of implementation of timber high-rise. This research argues that a lack of thorough analysis of timber design alternatives in the...