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Pumping vs. iron: Adaptive structures for whole life energy savings

Senatore, G; Duffour, P; Hanna, S; Labbe, F; (2011) Pumping vs. iron: Adaptive structures for whole life energy savings. In: Proceedings of 2011 7th International Conference on Intelligent Environments, IE 2011. (pp. 114 - 121). IEEE Green open access

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Abstract

The design methodology explained in this paper takes a substantial shift from conventional methods where sizing is based on a single load case i.e. the maximum expected load. The difference from a conventional passive approach is that strategically located elements of the system provide controlled output energy (actuators) in order to manipulate actively the internal flow of forces and stresses. In this way stresses can be homogenized and deflections kept within desired limits. The alternative we are proposing offer a way to actively counteract loads when needed. Two dimensional pin-jointed trusses designed using this methodology show that substantial weight savings can be achieved respect to optimised "passive" structures (designed using Fully Utilised Design method).While the decrease in mass through actuation leads to reduction of embodied energy, it increases the operating energy that the active elements need to provide. Whole life energy analysis, implemented as coupled optimization between embodied and operating energy, reveals that an optimal trade-off exists. Results show that energy savings remain significant even considering the operating energy of the actuators for the entire life-cycle of the structure. © 2011 IEEE.

Type: Proceedings paper
Title: Pumping vs. iron: Adaptive structures for whole life energy savings
Event: The 7th International Conference on Intelligent Environments (IE 2011)
Location: Nottingham, UK
Dates: 25-28 July 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4577-0830-5
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1109/IE.2011.40
Language: English
Additional information: © 2011 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Civil, Environ and Geomatic Eng
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment > The Bartlett School of Architecture
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1407222
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