Data-driven performance-based topology optimization of uncertain wind-excited tall buildings

Topology optimization is traditionally framed in a static and deterministic setting notwithstanding the uncertain dynamic nature of many problems. This paper presents a new data-driven simulation-based framework for the effective topology optimization of uncertain and dynamic wind-excited tall buildings. The performance of the system is described through probabilistic performance integrals that encapsulate state-of-the-art performance-based design driven by climatological, aerodynamic and fragility data sets for describing the site-specific hazard, aerodynamic response and damage susceptibility of the system. To solve the resulting probabilistic topology optimization problem, a sequential optimization strategy is developed that is based on solving a series of high quality approximate sub-problems. A suite of case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.