Free‐form grid structure is a kind of structure whose shape cannot be expressed by analytical functions. Although this kind of structure has been widely used in practice, how to generate the structural shapes that not only satisfy architectural requirements but also have excellent mechanical properties is still a problem. This article focuses on the shape generation of complex grid structures and proposes a novel shape‐generation method for free‐form grid structures. The method integrates numerical inverse hanging method and multiobjective optimization. First, it uses numerical inverse hanging method to generate structural shapes in low bending moment level. Next, it uses dynamic weight multiobjective firefly optimization algorithm to adjust the parameters of the inverse hanging method adaptively so that the structural shape can satisfy architectural requirements. Comparisons with former shape‐generation methods show that the proposed method is more effective. Numerical examples based on real structures illustrate the applicability of the proposed method in practice.

Long span space roofs are characterized as multimode wind-induced response. Participation factors on the basis of the structural strain energy are defined to select dominant eigenmodes in the background response and dominant vibration modes in the resonant response. These dominant eigenmodes and dominant vibration modes are chosen as fundamental vectors to evaluate the universal equivalent static wind loads (ESWL) that would simultaneously reproduce multiple largest load effects. A least-squares approximation method is employed to calculate the combination factors of these fundamental vectors. The proposed method is then employed to study wind-induced response and universal ESWL of the Beijing National Stadium. The results show that the background response is much higher than the mean response and the resonant response; low-order eigenmodes and vibration modes have the most important contribution to the wind-induced response; the structural response at selected nodes and selected supports under the universal ESWL agrees well with actual dynamic peak response.

Vector form intrinsic finite element is a recently developed and promising numerical method for the analysis of complicated structural behavior. Taking the cable-link element as example, the framework of the vector form intrinsic finite element is explained first. Based on this, a constant strain triangle element is introduced, and relevant required equations are deduced. Subsequently, the vector form intrinsic finite element is successfully applied to carry out form-finding of shells generated from physical models, such as hanging models, tension models, and pneumatic models. In addition, the resulting geometries are analyzed with finite element method, thus demonstrating that a dominant membrane stress distribution arises when the shell is subjected to gravitational loading.

This paper discusses the solutions for topology optimization of spatially discrete structures. The optimization objects are the structural weight and the maximum displacement. The optimization variables include structural node coordinates, and the improved MOEA (Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithm) method is used to optimize the structure. The innovation of this study is that it breaks through the shortage of constant node position in the optimization thought of traditionally discrete structure in the “Ground Structure Approach” and uses the coordinate of the node as the optimization variable for the optimization calculation. The result is not a single one but a set of optimal solutions through the evolution (i.e., Pareto optimal solutions); on this basis, the most suitable solution can be found according to the boundary conditions or other related requirements. Using the C# language to compile the calculation program, ANSYS finite element software is used to analyze the structure, and the Pareto front surface was automatically drawn to determine the optimal layout form of the discrete structure. The analysis results show that the improved MOEA method can provide an effective method to solve such optimization problems.

Strong wind has caused damage to group-arranged quayside container cranes in terminals and ports in recent years. Interference may amplify the wind loads in some cases. However, the interference effect among cranes has rarely been studied. In this study, high-frequency force balance tests were conducted to obtain the wind load of isolated and group-arranged container cranes. The results of the computational fluid dynamics simulation were validated by wind tunnel tests and provided the mean wind loads of all 15 types of member cranes. According to the results from wind tunnel tests, the fluctuating wind loads of each member were generated using the weighted amplitude wave superposition method. Based on dynamic finite element methods, the wind-induced responses were obtained considering the interference effect. It was found that the interference effect is the combined effects of both the shielding effect and the amplification of turbulence. Although in some cases the fluctuating and peak wind loads can increase by up to 16% and 6%, respectively, those in the most unfavorable cases are reduced by the interference effect. The interference factor for extreme nodal deformation is 0.56 and 0.69. The interference effect in container cranes mainly appears as a shielding effect, reducing the wind loads and response of the structures in unfavorable cases.