Designing Gridshells Using Reused Members as a Sustainable Solution
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Proposed Design Optimization Approach
2.1. Definition of the Parametric Geometrical Model
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- Corner joints (pink joints in Figure 2a,b) remain fixed:
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- Joints along the perimeter (cyan joints in Figure 2a,b) are only allowed to move along the curvilinear boundary. Since, in this study, the boundary is defined by a circle, the new x-coordinate is a variable, while the new y-coordinate is evaluated to ensure that it belongs to the circular perimeters, and the z-coordinate is zero:
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- Internal joints (green joints in Figure 2a,b) are free to move in both the x- and y-directions.
- The starting joint of a selected line is moved to either extend or shorten the beams until its length matches the corresponding reused beam.
- 2.
- If the selected joint is the starting point of more than one selected line, the movement is applied to the opposite (end) joint. The formula is the same as the one described for the previous point, but is used for the movement of the end joint.
- 3.
- If the joint to be moved lies along a symmetry axis, its movement is allowed along the symmetry axis and in the z-direction in order to achieve the target length.
- 4.
- If the joint lies along the curved perimeter of the elementary sector, its movement is constrained to this curve.
2.2. Definition of the Structural Models and Structural Analyses
2.3. Optimization Process
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- Creation of the first generation with random individuals (with the number of individuals set by the parameters Population·Initial Boost);
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- Computation of the OF for each individual of the current generation;
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- Selection of the best individuals in the current generation in order to generate the successive one based on survival (percentage of best individuals, set by the parameter Maintain) and through mating (creation of children);
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- Creation of children by coupling (based on the genetic distance and governed by the parameter Inbreeding Factor);
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- Definition of the random genetic changes in the parents’ genome in order to increase the bio-diversity in the population (controlled by the parameter Mutation).
3. Description of the Case Study and Numerical Applications
- Stock (a): N = 8, L = 4 m;
- Stock (b): N = 12, L = 4 m;
- Stock (c): N = 8, L = 5 m;
- Stock (d): N = 12, L = 5 m;
- Stock (e): N = 12, L = 4 m (4 elements); L = 4.5 m (4 elements); L = 5 m (4 elements).
4. Results and Comments
5. Discussion
5.1. Non-Linear Static Analysis
5.2. Evaluation of GHG Emissions
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- The 0.447 kgCO2/kg coefficient for reused beams includes:
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- Deconstruction: 0.337 kgCO2/kg;
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- Assembly on site: 0.110 kgCO2/kg.
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- The 0.844 kgCO2/kg coefficient for new beams includes:
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- Production of new steel: 0.734 kgCO2/kg;
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- Assembly on site: 0.110 kgCO2/kg.
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- transportation emissions: these emissions were not considered since the relative distances between the structure to be dismantled and the new structure were not defined in this work;
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- waste transport and handling: these terms were omitted under the assumption that the reclaimed elements were reused at full length, so no cut-off waste was generated.
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
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Population | 50 |
Initial Boost | 2 |
Maintain | 5% |
Inbreeding Factor | 75% |
Max. Stagnant | 50 |
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Tomei, V.; Serpe, M.; Grande, E.; Imbimbo, M. Designing Gridshells Using Reused Members as a Sustainable Solution. Buildings 2025, 15, 2198. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132198
Tomei V, Serpe M, Grande E, Imbimbo M. Designing Gridshells Using Reused Members as a Sustainable Solution. Buildings. 2025; 15(13):2198. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132198
Chicago/Turabian StyleTomei, Valentina, Marina Serpe, Ernesto Grande, and Maura Imbimbo. 2025. "Designing Gridshells Using Reused Members as a Sustainable Solution" Buildings 15, no. 13: 2198. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132198
APA StyleTomei, V., Serpe, M., Grande, E., & Imbimbo, M. (2025). Designing Gridshells Using Reused Members as a Sustainable Solution. Buildings, 15(13), 2198. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15132198