Multi-objective optimization (MOO) of a skylight roof system for structure integrity, daylight, and material cost

In recent years, optimization in the building performance area further extended to Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO). However, it is very rare to find optimization research on cross disciplines. Buildings optimized for energy use rarely consider building structural optimization. In contrast, a structurally optimized building is rarely optimized for daylighting or energy. Without integrating a different building performance area, the solution found in one area will be a problematic solution in another area. This paper proposes a method to overcome the current limitation of using optimization for a specific domain and extend the use of optimization to cover multi-discipline areas. The paper developed a method to integrate the criteria of several performances into MOO. As a test case, a truss system was selected for maximizing the daylight into the indoor space, maximizing the structure strength and minimizing the system's weight, and the overall material cost. The MOO was able to find several solutions that could satisfy the goals, and the post-MOO process was able to identify the ranking order of the solutions. The main contribution of this paper is developing a method that uses different domain computational simulation tools in the early design stage to find a solution. This optimized solution was not for one specific domain area but a solution that satisfies several building performance areas. This is important so that a designer can be the guide to find a better design solution in the early design stage where design can greatly impact a building's performance.