Structural Design and Optimization of the Beijing National Aquatic Center

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doi:10.3850/978-981-08-7920-4_S2-A13-cd

Structural Design and Optimization of the Beijing National Aquatic Center

M. A. Arkinstall and T. G. A. Carfrae

Arup, Sydney, Australia.

ABSTRACT

The Beijing National Aquatic Centre (Water Cube) was one of several high profile architectural/ engineering projects built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The structural engineering design of the Water Cube involved finding a strength design solution for the unique 3- dimensional vierendeel structure, consisting of structural topology derived from foam theory. In total the superstructure consists of 22000 beams each with the potential to be different. This paper describes the methods employed to arrive at an efficient design solution whilst minimizing the structural steel weight. Both global and local optimization techniques were employed in determining this strength design solution.

Keywords: Optimization, Design, Foam theory, Seismic engineering, Automation.

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