Geometry Studies using parametric Structural Models and Optimization Methods

The generation of complex shapes and the parametric design of geometries play a major role in contemporary architecture. Many aspects, such as manufacturing methods (e. g. developable surfaces) or environmental aspects (e. g. shading), can be taken into account in the design process. The evaluation of the interaction between geometry on the one hand and structural performance on the other hand is often placed in the background, even though the fundamentals for their simultaneous evaluation are given. This paper describes applications of methods of structural optimization into the understanding, teaching and development of structural geometries. The studies carried out and presented here lead into the postulation of the systematic parametric generation of geometries using the methods of structural optimization, advancing the visualisation and hence the understanding of structural behaiour of spatial structures for practice and teachings.