Heuristic and non heuristic Structural Optimization

This website implements the heuristic search algorithm named VTAM (Vast Territories Aerial Mapping). This optimization procedure is based on the classic metaphor of landscape tracking. The Benchmark menu option contains a set of well-known mathematical functions and engineering design cases that are ready to be optimized online by the visitor in order to prove the accuracy and efficiency of VTAM. Although this algorithm has been developed as a general-purpose heuristic search engine, it is particularly suited to the optimization of building structures. The static/dynamic analyses and all the design assessments required to check every structural configuration of a given case are performed directly linking to the core of Architrave®. This program has been extensively developed to solve a wide range of structural problems, including the design of timber, steel, or reinforced concrete structures. Academic visitors interested in submitting structural optimization tasks to VTAM can request for a free registration account just sending an e-mail to the author. A PDF archive, with details about the arguments file to be submitted to VTAM in order to optimize any structure that fits into the scope of cases implemented in this website can be downloaded following this link DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.20656.58888.

The VTAM arguments file contains information about the parameters that will drive the optimization procedure. This file has a plain text format and must be provided altogether with the file that describes the optimization problem to be submitted to the VTAM web site. Please, check for updates of this document following the link provided in the first page.

Vast Territories Aerial Mapping (VTAM) is a metaheuristic optimization algorithm inspired by the orographic characterization of the landscape. The aerial survey of the territory registers many aspects of the landscape that are useful references to drive the search of optimum configurations of many engineering problems. The goal pursued is to find the path to be followed along a certain orography (composed of hills, valleys, rivers, lakes, seashores, land slopes, altitudes, ...) in order to reach the location that fits the best with a single objective or a multiple objective purpose. The efficiency of this algorithm has been proved solving well known mathematical functions and structural design problems, particularly those related to the design of structures composed of linear members following 2D or 3D geometries, like trusses or rigid frames, and made of steel or RC. Please, check for updates of this document following the link provided in the first page.

En este artículo se evalúa la ecoeficiencia de varios edificios construidos utilizando un sistema de muros de carga multicapa resuelto ‘in situ’ del tipo microhormigón/aislante/microhormigón. Los resultados se contrastan con la ecoeficiencia de esos mismos edificios resueltos con soluciones desacopladas (sistemas de elementos puramente estructurales combinados con cerramientos y particiones sin competencia estructural) ampliamente utilizadas en la actualidad. La solución constructiva presentada utiliza tecnologías con un elevado índice de industrialización y proporciona una razonable capacidad portante. Su ligereza y rigidez permite asumir eficazmente las acciones gravitatorias y sísmicas, tiene buen aislamiento térmico y acústico, capacidad para integrar sistemas de instalaciones, estabilidad al fuego, gran durabilidad y costes de ejecución y mantenimiento razonables. Es energéticamente eficiente tanto en las etapas de producción y distribución de componentes, como en construcción y vida útil del edificio.

The aim of this paper is to show the environmental benefits provided by the Multilayer Structural Panels technology when applied to construct low rise residential buildings. This is a holistic approach that takes into account the structural aspects and the environmental issues involved. Conclusions are based on the assessment of a broad set of cases and a procedure is provided to compare the environmental impact of each one. The design space was composed of single-family houses with three different building technologies: Reinforced Concrete Multilayer Structural Panels solving, at the same time and with high level of efficiency, structural and thermal insulation requirements; Reinforced Concrete Frame structures combined with insulated cavity walls; and Steel Frames structures plus insulated cavity walls. An optimized structural analysis was applied to fulfil the load transfer requirements. On each case were evaluated the economic cost, the embodied energy and the amount of CO2 emissions during the construction phase and also the energy savings obtained along the use phase of the building due to the reduction in heat losses. The conclusions show that the more substantial improvements can be achieved when buildings are located on intense seismic activity areas or places with poor bearing capacity soils.