Structural Engineering and Mechanics

Techno-Press (테크노프레스)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Topology optimization of the photovoltaic panel connector in high-rise buildings

  • Lu, Xilin (State Key Laboratory of Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering, Tongji University) ;
  • Xu, Jiaqi (State Key Laboratory of Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering, Tongji University) ;
  • Zhang, Hongmei (State Key Laboratory of Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering, Tongji University) ;
  • Wei, Peng (State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science, School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, South China University of Technology)
  • Received : 2016.06.20
  • Accepted : 2017.03.09
  • Published : 2017.05.25
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) panels are used in high-rise buildings to convert solar energy to electricity. Due to the considerable energy consumption of high-rise buildings, applying PV technology is of great significance to energy saving. In the application of PV panels, one of the most important construction issues is the connection of the PV panel with the main structures. One major difficulty of the connection design is that the PV panel connection consists of two separate components with coupling and indeterminate dimension. In this paper, the gap element is employed in these two separated but coupled components, i.e., hook and catch. Topology optimization is applied to optimize and design the cross-section of the PV panel connection. Pareto optimization is conducted to operate the optimization subject to multiple load scenarios. The initial design for the topology optimization is determined by the common design specified by the Technical Code for Glass Curtain Wall Engineering (JGJ 102-2003). Gravity and wind load scenarios are considered for the optimization and numerical analysis. Post analysis is conducted for the optimal design obtained by the topology optimization due to the manufactory requirements. Generally, compared with the conventional design, the optimized connector reduces material use with improved structural characteristics.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : National Natural Science Foundation of China, Tongji University

References

  1. Altair Engineering Inc. (2013), OptiStruct 12.0 user's guide.
  2. Bendsoe, M.P. (1989), "Optimal shape design as a material distribution problem", Struct. Optimiz., 1(4), 193-202. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01650949
  3. Erge, T., Hoffmann, V.U. and Kiefer, K. (2001), "The German experience with grid-connected PV-systems", Solar Energy, 70(6), 479-487. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0038-092X(00)00143-2
  4. Fleury, C. (1989), "CONLIN: An efficient dual optimizer based on convex approximation concepts", Struct. Optimiz., 1(2), 81-89. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01637664
  5. Haftka, R.T. and Gurdal, Z. (2012), Elements of structural optimization, Springer Science & Business Media.
  6. Huang, X. and Xie, Y.M. (2010), "Evolutionary topology optimization of geometrically and materially nonlinear structures under prescribed design load", Struct. Eng. Mech., 34(5), 581-595. https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2010.34.5.581
  7. Kaveh, A., Shojaei, I., Gholipour, Y. and Rahami, H. (2013), "Seismic design of steel frames using multi-objective optimization", Struct. Eng. Mech., 45(2), 211-232. https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2013.45.2.211
  8. Kutylowski, R. and Rasiak, B. (2014), "The use of topology optimization in the design of truss and frame bridge girders", Struct. Eng. Mech., 51(1), 67-88. https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2014.51.1.067
  9. Lee, D.K., Kim, J.H., Starossek, U. and Shin, S.M. (2012), "Evaluation of structural outrigger belt truss layouts for tall buildings by using topology optimization", Struct. Eng. Mech., 43(6), 711-724. https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2012.43.6.711
  10. Lee, E.H. and Park, J. (2011), "Structural design using topology and shape optimization", Struct. Eng. Mech., 38(4), 517-527. https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2011.38.4.517
  11. Lund, H. and Mathiesen, B.V. (2009), "Energy system analysis of 100% renewable energy systems-the case of Denmark in years 2030 and 2050", Energy, 34(5), 524-531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2008.04.003
  12. Michell, A.G.M. and Melbourne, M.C.E. (1904), "The limits of economy of material in frame-structures", Philosoph. Magaz., 8(47), 589-597.
  13. Ministry of Construction of People's Republic of China (2001), "Technical code for glass curtain wall engineering (JGJ 102-2003)", Ministry of Construction of People's Republic of China.
  14. Schmit, L.A. and Farshi, B. (1974), "Some approximation concepts for structural synthesis", AIAA J., 12(5), 692-699. https://doi.org/10.2514/3.49321
  15. Spillers, W.R. and MacBain, K.M. (2009), Structural optimization. Springer Science & Business Media.
  16. Strahs, G. and Tombari, C. (2006), Laying the foundation for a solar America: the million solar roofs initiative. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO.
  17. Thomas, H.L., Vanderplaats, G.N. and Shyy, Y.K. (1992), "A study of move limit adjustment strategies in the approximation concepts approach to structural synthesis", Proceeding of the Fourth AIAA/USAF/NASA/OAI Symposium on Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization, Cleveland, OH.
  18. Wright, M.H. (2004), "The interior-point revolution in optimization: history, recent developments, and lasting consequences", Bull. Am. Math. Soc., 42(1), 39-56. https://doi.org/10.1090/S0273-0979-04-01040-7
  19. Yang, H. and Fung, Y. (2003), "Building-integrated photovoltaic application-its practice in Hong Kong", Proceedings of 3rd World Conference onPhotovoltaic Energy Conversion, 2490-2493.
  20. Zeng, B. (2016), "Progress on application research of dry-fixing stone curtain wall system", Adhesion, (10), 53-56+52.
  21. Zhang, H., Dong, J., Duan, Y., Lu, X. and Peng, J. (2014), "Seismic and power generation performance of U-shaped steel connected PV-shear wall under lateral cyclic loading", Int. J. Photoenergy, 2014, 1-15.
  22. Zhang, S. and He, Y. (2013), "Analysis on the development and policy of solar PV power in China", Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev., 21, 393-401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.01.002
  23. Zhou, M., Pagaldipti, N., Thomas, H. and Shyy, Y. (2004), "An integrated approach to topology, sizing, and shape optimization", Struct. Multidisciplin. Optimiz., 26(5), 308-317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-003-0351-2

Cited by

  1. Topology optimization of steel plate shear walls in the moment frames vol.29, pp.6, 2017, https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2018.29.6.771
  2. New form of perforated steel plate shear wall in simple frames using topology optimization vol.74, pp.3, 2017, https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2020.74.3.325
  3. Seismic behavior of thin cold-formed steel plate shear walls with different perforation patterns vol.20, pp.4, 2021, https://doi.org/10.12989/eas.2021.20.4.377