Multi-objective optimization of outriggers in high-rise buildings subjected to wind loads

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate a methodology for determining the optimum floor positioning of outriggers (ORs) and belt-trusses (BTs) over tall buildings height. The primary goal is to reduce the maximum lateral drift (MLD) and the core base moment (CBM), individually and concurrently. Furthermore, the influence of these elements on other criteria such as maximum acceleration and natural frequencies are analyzed. Throughout the work, the behavior of the structure is verified when the stiffness ratio of the main elements used in the bracing system (core, perimeter columns, OR, and BT) are varied. Therefore, a three-dimensional model of a tall building under lateral wind load is analyzed, using the finite element method with ANSYS software. The mono and multi-objective optimizations were solved, respectively, by the Nelder-Mead method with the author’s modifications to deal with integer variables and by a utility function. Based on the results, it is concluded that by specifically adding ORs/ORs-BTs in tall buildings the influence on the reduction of the mentioned objectives is extremely relevant, reaching up to 68% for the CBM and 71% for the MLD, depending on the amounts employed.