Integrated computational multidisciplinary design environment (ICMDE): A dynamic approach to structural design

Peter Felicetti, Y.M. (Mike) Xie and Jiwu Tang write about their work to combine computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis with Evolutionary Structural Optimisation (ESO) and finite element structural analysis, which they have called the Integrated Computerised Multidisciplinary Design Environment (ICMDE) process. This combination of computational approaches builds a design analysis and synthesis feedback loop in which buildings can be dynamically sculpted to forms optimized for least wind resistance and hence structural material use. Wind resistance has a huge influence on the structure and weight of buildings as they are built to ever-greater heights.