The use of topology optimization methods for the conceptual design of tall buildings has recently gained popularity. Topology optimization methods were originally developed in a deterministic setting despite the uncertain nature of the surrounding environment. Disregarding these uncertainties during the design process may cause the completed structure to perform unsatisfactorily. Thus, in order to determine robust, optimal designs that are truly useful in a realistic setting uncertainties must be considered. Additionally, the problem must be formulated in a dynamic setting accounting for the response amplification of dynamically sensitive structures such as tall buildings; however, these have yet to be considered concurrently in a topology optimization framework.

This paper presents methodologies for the topology optimization of tall buildings within a performance-based design setting while rigorously accounting for the stochastic nature of the aerodynamic loads and the dynamic nature of the structural response. A performance-based method is developed utilizing a fragility model in which the topology optimization and performance-based analysis are decoupled through the definition of a number of approximate sub-problems which can be solved using traditional topology optimization techniques. Successive resolution of the sub-problems until convergence results in a final design that is optimum and also satisfies the user-defined performance constraints.

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