A Shear Wall Layout Optimization Strategy Aimed at Prioritizing Re-Use and Pre-Fabrication Of Reinforced Concrete Walls

Abstract

Fully prefabricated reinforced concrete walls are favored and have emerged as a cornerstone of modern construction practices to high- and low-rise buildings for their rapid on-site assembly. Thanks to their structural properties, walls made of reinforced concrete can easily transfer vertical forces from the slabs into the foundations. However, their partial, or complete incapacity to withstand in-plane horizontal loads, such as those induced by wind and earthquake, highlights the necessity of a nuanced approach to their integration within structures. Traditionally, the determination of which walls should be cast in place and which ones should be prefabricated, has been largely subjective, relying on the experiential judgment of a civil engineer rather than on a systematic optimization. Addressing this challenge, this paper introduces an innovative methodology that leverages parametric modeling powered by an evolutionary solver to develop an algorithmic approach aimed at minimizing the number of cast-in-place walls out of reinforced concrete, prioritizing the prefabricated or reusable ones considering the aspects of the circular economy. Central to the algorithm's functionality are constraints representing the horizontal bearing capacity required during seismic events and the consideration of (mutual) horizontal storey drift. The algorithm allows for the exploration of numerous design iterations, facilitating informed decision-making based on quantitative analysis. By streamlining decision-making and reducing reliance on subjective judgments, the proposed algorithmic approach offers a robust framework for civil engineers to enhance the efficiency and resilience of reinforced concrete structures with reusable or prefabricated elements. To prove the efficiency of the suggested pipeline, a test case was conducted within the scope of this paper. This test case is based on a multi-storey residential building with 10 storeys. In summary, this paper presents a significant advancement in the field of civil engineering by offering a systematic approach to decision-making in the selection of prefabricated and cast-in-place shear walls.