A Model for Integrated Spatial and Structural Design of Buildings

Abstract

Recent advances in computer graphics and 3D user interfaces have enabled the emergence\rof 3D sketch modeling as a viable approach to architectural design, especially in the early\rschematic phase. This paper describes how a system can be built and used which integrates\rthe capabilities of a good structural analysis system in the user-friendly working\renvironment of a design-oriented modeling program.\rThe structure of a building model as seen by finite element algorithms is a schematic\ridealization of the building's physical structure into nodes, elements, internal releases,\rboundary conditions, and loads. The more familiar architectural model used for design\rvisualization represents spatial elements such as roofs, floors, walls, and windows.\rRather than treat these models independently, the structural model can be defined in\rrelation to the architectural as a virtual model with inherited common characteristics and\radditional relational and attribute information, using feature-based geometry data\rstructures to organize topological intelligence in the spatial model. This provides the basis\rfor synchronous modification of structural and architectural aspects of the design.