Integrated Structural and Ventilation System for Buildings through Biomimicry

目前的估计表明，建筑消耗了美国大约40%的能源。大自然有通过整合系统来提高能源效率的潜在解决方案。具体来说，白蚁等昆虫构建了结构稳定的栖息地，调节内部温度，并通过结构形式提供通风。通过计算模拟结构系统与通风相结合的自下而上的建筑过程，本研究旨在开发一种新的建筑设计范式。由此产生的形式可以为建造很少或不需要外部通风能源的栖息地提供新的解决方案，特别是在能源成本过高的发展中地区。这项研究着眼于结构形式和建筑系统从一个新的角度。与传统的基于广义和规范化环境输入的自上而下的设计不同，该研究旨在将结构系统的整合作为响应性栖息地的一部分，以自然仿生学为模型。基于智能体的建模是一种对复杂系统进行预测的计算方法，该系统由单个智能体的行为规则控制。这可以扩展到agent运动的物理表现，并包括确保结构稳定性的约束。通过考虑当地的环境输入和基于适应性代理的算法，将开发一个平台，在这个平台上，结构形式和系统的开发将建筑物更自然地考虑为居民的延伸生理，响应当地的环境刺激和预期的结构功能。这项多学科的努力将建立在工程、大气科学和昆虫学的最新技术的基础上。在结构方面，它将采用仿生学和基于主体的建模来创建与环境功能相结合的部分和成员拓扑自下而上发展的新范例。在大气科学中，将探索建筑环境与当地小气候模型之间的反馈。数值模拟将有助于了解自然通风的最新状况。开发的拓扑图旨在作为完全集成的结构/机械建筑系统的概念证明。

Current estimates suggest that buildings are responsible for about 40 percent of U.S. energy usage. Nature has potential solutions for energy efficiency by integrating systems. Specifically, insects such as termites construct habitats that are structurally stable, regulate internal temperature and provide ventilation through the form of the structure. By computationally mimicking the bottom-up building processes of integrating structural system with ventilation, this study intends to develop a new paradigm for building design. The resulting forms can provide an avenue for new solutions in construction of habitats that require little to no external energy for ventilation, particularly in developing areas where the cost of energy is prohibitive.This research looks at structural forms and building systems from a new perspective. Rather than focusing on traditional top-down design based on generalized and codified environmental inputs, the research aims to consider the integration of the structural system as part of a responsive habitat modeled on biomimicry of nature. Agent-based modeling is a computational approach by which predictions can be made on complex systems controlled by rules of behavior of individual agent. This can be extended to the physical manifestation of agent movement and include constraints to ensure structural stability. By considering local environmental inputs and adaptable agent based algorithms, a platform will be developed in which structural forms and systems are developed that consider buildings more naturally as an extended physiology of the inhabitants, responding to both local environmental stimuli and intended structural function. This multi-disciplinary effort will build on the current state of the art in engineering, atmospheric science and entomology. In structures, it will employ biomimicry and agent-based modeling to create new paradigms for bottom-up development of section and member topologies that are integrated with environmental function. In atmospheric science, feedbacks between built environments and models of local microclimate will be explored. Numerical simulation will contribute to the state of the art in the understanding of natural ventilation. The developed topologies intend to serve as a proof of concept for fully integrated structural / mechanical building systems.