Generative Design for Architectural Structures Using Standard Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional CAD systems are ineffective in generating design solutions for architectural-scale structures using standard modular building components and require manual, intensive processes, limiting the exploration of design space and resulting in suboptimized solutions.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that includes a parametric modeling tool with a visual programming interface for defining design constraints corresponding to standard modular components, integrating with a topology optimization solver to automatically execute a design workflow, generating optimized mesh geometries, graph structures, and 3D models that can be fabricated using standard building components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional CAD systems are used to generate design solutions for architectural-scale structures, then the design process requires manual programming and data transfer between multiple tools, but this results in a manually-intensive process that cannot properly explore the design space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign generation efficiencyVSAvoidmanual intervention level

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple design tools including a topology optimization solver, a generative design system, and a visual programming interface into a single integrated platform. This merging eliminates the need for manual data transfer between separate tools and enables automated execution of design workflows, directly resolving the contradiction by improving productivity through reduced manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service automation where the topology optimization solver can be automatically initiated and executed through the visual programming interface without requiring manual programming. The generative design system automatically performs iterations and explores design spaces autonomously, transforming the manually-intensive process into an automated self-service system that improves both productivity and automation extent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional generative design tools are used, then design solutions can be generated, but they cannot effectively produce geometric shapes corresponding to standard modular building components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabrication readinessVSAvoidgeometric accuracy for standard components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates parameters corresponding to standard modular building components (such as beam sizes, joint types, and connection methods) into the topology optimization solver. By changing the design parameters to match standard manufacturing specifications, the system generates geometric shapes that are not only structurally optimized but also precisely aligned with standard components, enabling easy fabrication while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual iterations of the design process are performed to explore different design solutions, then multiple design problems can be addressed, but the overall design space cannot be properly explored resulting in suboptimized solutions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign space exploration capabilityVSAvoiddesign solution optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous automated iteration through the visual programming interface, where the topology optimization solver can be repeatedly executed with modified parameters without manual intervention. This continuous action allows the design space to be systematically explored through multiple iterations, generating numerous design solutions that can be compared and selected, thereby improving both adaptability and productivity by eliminating the manual bottleneck.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20240028783A1Automated design of architectural structures for fabrication with standard components

Publication Date: 2024.01.25 AUTODESK INC

AI summary

A generative design system includes a solver and a modeling tool comprising a visual programming interface and a design workflow script. The visual programming interface enables the user to specify a design problem including design constraints comprising parameters associated with standard building components, such as beams and joints. After the design problem is specified by the user, the modeling tool executes the design workflow script to automatically perform a design workflow that generates a design solution for the design problem. The design workflow script controls the operations of the modeling tool and the solver to interact in a collaborative manner to execute the design workflow comprising an ordered sequence of operations. The design solution comprises a 3D model of a modular beam structure that can be easily fabricated using standard building components, such as standardized beams and joints.