Abstract
This paper proposes an optimization framework for sustainable post-disaster building reconstruction. Based on mathematical optimization, it is intended to provide decision makers with a versatile tool to optimize building designs and to explore the trade-off between costs and environmental impact (represented by embodied energy) of alternative building materials. The mixed-integer nonlinear optimization model includes an analytical building model that considers structural and safety constraints and incorporates regional building codes. Using multi-objective optimization concepts, Pareto-optimal designs are computed that represent the best trade-off designs from which a decision maker can choose when they take additional criteria into consideration. As a case study, we consider the design of a multi-room one-story masonry building in Nepal. We demonstrate how the framework can be employed to address a variety of questions, such as the optimal building design and material selection, the sensitivity of the decision to material prices, and the impact of regional safety regulation thresholds.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2079-2114 |
Number of pages | 36 |
Journal | Optimization and Engineering |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2023 |
Funding
Vidushi Dwivedi was supported in part by the Resnick Family Social Impact Program of Northwestern’s Institute for Sustainability and Energy (ISEN) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Daniel J. Garcia was supported by a Northwestern University Presidential Fellowship. Additional support was provided by Leslie and Mac McQuown. We thank Mike McMahon for help with coordination and comments on the paper and Jennifer B. Dunn for discussions providing a life cycle analysis perspective. We also thank Ah Kim, Can Divitoglu, and Giovanna Varalta, who created an initial version of the AMPL model as part of their project in the Northwestern course IEMS 394 IE Client Project Challenge.
Keywords
- Building model
- Earthquake resistant building
- Mixed-integer nonlinear optimization
- Multi-objective optimization
- Post-disaster reconstruction
- Sustainability
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Software
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Control and Optimization
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering