CURSO INGLÉS

05/12/2021

UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL
AUTÓNOMA DE MÉXICO
FACULTAD DE ARQUITECTURA

HERNÁNDEZ DE LA CRUZ MOISÉS

CALLEJAS CALLEJAS ESMERALDA

CONTENIDO

❖ Text: Parametric Structural Design for High-

Performance Buildings
❖ Abstract
❖ Glossary
❖ Main idea
❖ Scanning
❖ Referents
❖ Skimming for text organization (signal words).
❖ Reading for detail

ENTREGA 01
 Parametric Structural Design for High-Performance
Buildings
01 The climate crisis has shifted priorities in all sectors. For structural
engineers, improving performance, such as reducing emissions
embodied in structural materials, can improve low-carbon building
design. Parametric design can enhance current structural design
05 methods by enabling designers to more readily explore the design
space, the space of available design solutions, and optimize within it
for single or multiple objectives. This exploration can reveal high-
08 performance or optimal structural solutions that may otherwise have
been overlooked. While many architects have started using
10 parametric design methods in recent years, there are untapped
opportunities for structural engineers to use such approaches to
enhance collaborations with architects and play a more active role
in the design process. This article presents both theoretical
background and practical tips for structural engineers to implement
15 parametric design in their work.

Parametric Design and Implementation

16 Parametric design is a framework that allows a design to vary along
different quantitative parameters, called design variables. Ideally,
these design variables capture the extent of all possible solutions,
also known as the design space. For example, given a building
20 massing, the column grid spacings of a structure may be parameters,
with each design variable bounded by feasible spans. These
variables may be continuous, such as any angle between 20 and 45
degrees, or discrete, such as the integer number of panels in a truss.

The value of a parametric framework in engineering is systematically

25 comparing design alternatives according to one or more
performance metrics. For example, performance metrics can
include occupancy, air flow rate, or energy loads in building design.
In addition, specific structural metrics for material efficiency might
include volume or embodied carbon of materials used.

30 Typical engineering workflows already incorporate some degree of

parametric design. For example, most spreadsheets of engineering
32 calculations follow a parametric framework. The cells that the user
updates with project data are the design variables, while the rest of
the spreadsheet may use formulas to calculate the single
35 engineering solution associated with the input variables. The user can
manually explore the design space by changing the design variables
within the bounds of the problem.

Architects are increasingly utilizing tools like Grasshopper for Rhino 3D

or Dynamo for Revit to create parametric models directly into the
stages of design and modeling. Both Grasshopper and Dynamo are
41 visual programming tools that enable users to define geometries
 based on quantitative parameters and rules. In addition, both tools
can connect directly to structural analysis software to compute
metrics. By gaining proficiency in these parametric tools, structural
engineers can enhance early-stage collaborations and design
46 decisions with the architects who use them.

Parametric Design and Optimization

The parametric design space also offers opportunities for automated
optimization, which returns the best combination of design variables
49 according to specified performance metrics, called objectives in
optimization frameworks. Established structural optimization methods
include member size, shape, and topology optimization, but
parametric design and optimization can generally be applied to a
range of building problem types.

54 It is not always practical to select the theoretically optimal design.

There may be qualitative or hard-to-quantify considerations not
accounted for in the objective functions, such as the visual
preference of the architectural designers. And, the theoretically
optimal solution may not be compatible with current manufacturing
59 or construction methods. Because of these inevitable limitations,
navigating the design space offers a powerful way to flexibly
consider a collection of better-performing designs in a less
automated way. In addition, navigation methods can account for
multiple objectives, as in multi-objective optimization, and offer ways
64 for human engineers and designers to interact with generative
algorithms.

This is practical because designs within a comparable range of the

optimal solutions are often still valuable engineering solutions.
The Figure shows the design space of a 3-panel steel truss loaded at
69 its midpoint; despite determining a geometry that attains minimal
emissions, the design space reveals various designs that perform
within 15% of the global optimum. Furthermore, if alternate materials
are considered during early-stage design, one can see that
substituting timber for compression members results in even more
74 options that outperform the optimal steel design. This exploration
could be made more realistic by adding a model for economic and
environmental cost of connections, but the latter is typically small
relative to the rest of the structure.

Navigating the Design Space

How do you find the regions of high performance in the design
79 space? For low-dimensional problems, this can be done by plotting a
solution’s objective score against different sets of design variables
and finding regions of variable settings that result in higher
performance, as the figure shows.
83 For more complex problems, more advanced tools for exploring the
design space are available. One such tool is a plug-in developed by
the MIT Digital Structures Research Group for Grasshopper, called
Design Space Exploration (DSE). Given a parametric model in
Grasshopper, components of DSE can be used to sample and
record solutions in the design space, create approximate surrogate
models, evaluate variable importance, and find optimal solutions
90 with automated, interactive, and multi-objective approaches. This
tool is available free and open-source. More recent academic
research seeks to enhance these methods with new advances in
computing, including VR and sketch interfaces, incorporation of
historical design data, and deep learning of relationships between
variables and performance.

The Power of Parametric Design

96 For climate-conscious structural engineering, an understanding of
performance in conceptual building design is critical. Parametric
design space exploration enables engineers to discover comparably
99 high-performing solutions systematically that may not have been
previously considered. In addition, the ability to offer multiple
solutions in collaborative early-stage design is not only an asset to
structural engineers everywhere but can also enhance the structural
engineering field at large.
 Abstract

The climate crisis has shifted priorities in all sectors. For structural engineers, improving
performance, such as reducing emissions embodied in structural materials, can improve low-
carbon building design. Parametric design can enhance current structural design methods by
enabling designers to more readily explore the design space, the space of available design
solutions, and optimize within it for single or multiple objectives that its aligned whit the new
priorities.

This is possible because it allows a design to vary along different quantitative parameters,
called design variables. Ideally, these design variables capture the extent of all possible
solutions, also known as the design space.

The parametric design space also offers opportunities for automated optimization, which
returns the best combination of design variables according to specified performance metrics,
called objectives in optimization frameworks. But it’s not always practical to select the
theoretically optimal design.

Therefore, navigating the design space offers a powerful way to flexibly consider a collection
of better-performing designs in a less automated way. This is practical because designs within
a comparable range of the optimal solutions are often still valuable engineering solutions.

How do you find the regions of high performance in the design space? For low-dimensional
problems, this can be done by plotting a solution’s objective score against different sets of
design variables and finding regions of variable settings that result in higher performance.

For more complex problems, more advanced tools for exploring the design space are
available. For example, Rhino 3D, Revit and Design Space Exploration.

Finally, for climate-conscious structural engineering, an understanding of performance in

conceptual building design is critical. Parametric design space exploration enables engineers
to discover comparably high-performing solutions systematically that may not have been
previously considered.
 Glossary

NOUN VERB
1. Asset- active 1. Enhance- mejorar
2. Field- campo 2. Shift-desplazar
3. Frameworks-estructuras
4. Grid- red
5. Parameters- parámetros
6. Performance- rendimiento
7. Quantitative- cuantitativa ADJECTIVE
8. Spans-tramos
9. Spreadsheet- hoja de cálculo
10. Tool- herramienta 1. Bounded- encerrado
11. Truss- Timber- madera 2. Current- actual
12. armadura 3. Embodied- incorporada
13. Workflows- procesos de trabajo 4. Feasible –factible
5. Specified- especificado

PREPOSITION ADVERB
1. Furthermore- Además/Es más
1. Within- en menos de/dentro 2. Theoretically- Teóricamente
de/en
 Main idea

1. Parametric design can enhance current a) is systematically comparing design

structural design methods F alternatives according to one or more
performance metrics.
2. Parametric design is a framework that
allows a design to vary along different b) to flexibly consider a collection of
quantitative parameters, called design better-performing designs in a less
variables. H automated way.

3. The value of a parametric framework in c) to discover comparably high-

engineering A performing solutions systematically that
may not have been previously
4. Architects are increasingly utilizing tools considered.
like Grasshopper for Rhino 3D or
Dynamo for Revit D d) to create parametric models directly
into the stages of design and
5. It is not always practical to select the modeling.
theoretically optimal design. E
e) There may be qualitative or hard-to-
6. Navigating the design space offers a quantify considerations not accounted
powerful way B for in the objective functions, such as
the visual preference of the
7. The parametric design space also offers architectural designers.
opportunities for automated
optimization, G f) by enabling designers to more readily
explore the design space, the space of
available design solutions, and
8. Parametric design space exploration optimize within it for single or multiple
enables engineers C objectives

g) which returns the best combination of

design variables according to
specified performance metrics,
called objectives in optimization
frameworks.

h) Ideally, these design variables capture

the extent of all possible solutions, also
known as the design space.
 Scanning

Read the questions and choose the right answer.

1. Which is a framework that allows a design to vary along different quantitative parameters?

a) Modular design.
b) Parametric design.
c) Conceptual design.

2. Which are the parametric tools that the architects use to create parametric models?

a) Rhino 3D or Revit.
b) Rhino 3D or Photoshop.
c) Revit or Photoshop.

3. What is the best combination of design variables according to specified performance

metrics called?

a) Objectives in optimization framework

b) Optimal design.
c) Generative algorithms.

4. Which are the methods that include member size, shape, and topology optimization?

a) Parametric methods.
b) Performance optimization methods.
c) Structural optimization methods.

5. Which is the plug-in that can be used to sample and record solutions in the design space,
create approximate surrogate models, evaluate variable importance, etc.?

a) AutoCAD.
b) SketchUp.
c) Design Space Exploration (DSE).

6. Who is the developer of the plug-in Design Space Exploration?

a) Graphisoft.
b) Dynamo.
c) MIT Digital Structures Research Group.
 Referents

Find the text the word or phrase to which each of the following words refers

(r.8) That high-performance or optimal structural solutions

(r.16) That Parametric design

The cells
(r.32) That

(r.41) That visual programming tools

(r.46) Who the architects

(r.48) Which The parametric design space also offers opportunities for
automated optimization
(r.69) That geometry

steel truss
(r.69) Its

(r.70) That designs

(r.74) That more options

(r.79) This to find the regions of high performance in

the design space
(r.99) That high-performing solutions
 Skimming for text organization (signal words)

Read the following paragraphs quickly. Read only to find the pattern of organization.
Put and checkmark beside the best answer.
1. The climate crisis has shifted priorities in all sectors. For structural engineers, improving
performance, such as reducing emissions embodied in structural materials, can improve low-
carbon building design. Parametric design can enhance current structural design methods by
enabling designers to more readily explore the design space, the space of available design
solutions, and optimize within it for single or multiple objectives. This exploration can reveal
high-performance or optimal structural solutions that may otherwise have been overlooked.

Listing Time order Cause/effect ✓ Comparison _

2. The value of a parametric framework in engineering is systematically comparing design

alternatives according to one or more performance metrics. For example, performance
metrics can include occupancy, air flow rate, or energy loads in building design. In addition,
specific structural metrics for material efficiency might include volume or embodied carbon of
materials used.

Listing ✓ Time order Cause/effect Comparison _

3. Architects are increasingly utilizing tools like Grasshopper for Rhino 3D or Dynamo for Revit to
create parametric models directly into the stages of design and modeling. Both Grasshopper
and Dynamo are visual programming tools that enable users to define geometries based on
quantitative parameters and rules. In addition, both tools can connect directly to structural
analysis software to compute metrics.

Listing Time order Cause/effect Comparison ✓ _

4. Established structural optimization methods include member size, shape, and topology
optimization, but parametric design and optimization can generally be applied to a range of
building problem types.

Listing ✓ Time order Cause/effect Comparison _

5. And, the theoretically optimal solution may not be compatible with current manufacturing
or construction methods. Because of these inevitable limitations, navigating the design space
offers a powerful way to flexibly consider a collection of better-performing designs in a less
automated way. In addition, navigation methods can account for multiple objectives, as in
multi-objective optimization, and offer ways for human engineers and designers to interact
with generative algorithms.

Listing ✓ Time order Cause/effect ✓ Comparison _

 Reading for detail

Mark each sentence true (T) or false (F)

F 1. Parametric design can not enhance current structural design methods.

Parametric design can enhance current structural design methods.

F 2. Parametric design is a framework that allows a design to vary along different

quantitative parameters, called design boxes.
Parametric design is a framework that allows a design to vary along different
quantitative parameters, called design variables.

T 3. These variables may be continuous, such as any angle between 20 and 45

degrees, or discrete, such as the integer number of panels in a truss.

F 4. The value of a parametric framework in engineering is to separate manually

design alternatives according to one or more performance metrics.
The value of a parametric framework in engineering is systematically comparing
design alternatives according to one or more performance metrics.
T 5. Typical engineering workflows already incorporate some degree of parametric
design.

T 6. Established structural optimization methods include member size, shape, and

topology optimization.

F 7. It is always practical to select the theoretically optimal design.

It is not always practical to select the theoretically optimal design.

T 8. One such tool is a plug-in developed by the MIT Digital Structures Research Group
for Grasshopper, called Design Space Exploration.

T 9. The tool “Design Space Exploration (DSE)” is available free and open-source.

T 10. Parametric design space exploration enables engineers to discover comparably

high-performing solutions systematically that may not have been previously
considered.