A SUSTAINABLE AND ECONOMIC DESIGN: OPTIMIZATION OF GRID SHELL SPACING FOR HYPAR KINETIC UMBRELLAS

Abstract

Climate change has become a prevalent issue today, as it increases the frequency and intensity of floods in coastal regions. This creates greater risks to the inhabitants and infrastructures along the coasts, and calls for more adaptable solutions to combat the flood disasters. Since traditional flood barriers have a number of drawbacks, a more innovative flood barrier design of hyperbolic paraboloid shell (hypar) umbrellas is proposed as a possible solution to this problem. While the previous studies have focused on studying the feasibility of concrete hypar shells, this research specifically focuses on the structural system of grid shell models. Through finite element modeling using SAP2000, this thesis explores the optimization of grid shell frame members regarding the 4x4, 6x6, and 8x8 grid shell spacings for both the 70° and 80° angle of inclination cases. Through analyzing the optimized frame members and the resulting maximum bending moment, deflections, and shear forces on each grid shell model, the 8x8 grid shell spacing with angle of inclination of 70° produces the least amount of maximum bending moment and deflection, which governs the grid shell design. At the end of the thesis, some environmental and economic factors are discussed in the context of the results. There are also recommendations for future research on the study of hypar grid shells.