Multi-performance parametric framework to enhance the design process and implementation of low-damage timber buildings

The impact of catastrophic events like earthquakes and the challenges posed by climate change on the built environment have become a growing concern worldwide. Buildings should deal with multi-performance requirements through advanced and sustainable technological solutions able to withstand strong earthquakes with negligible damage. Moreover, the needs of modern society involve the design of “adaptive” or “flexible” buildings, allowing for several changes of use during their extended life-cycle with minimum disruptions, following a resilient approach. In this context, the low-damage post-tensioned laminated timber (Pres-Lam) technology represents a suitable solution towards a damage-control approach using modular components made of eco-friendly materials. Yet, even for this innovative solution, an optimized multi-performance-based design phase would be critical to enhance the building’s resilience. This paper proposes a holistic integrated approach for the multi-performance design and evaluation of Pres-Lam buildings. A parametric framework is developed within the Rhino-Grasshopper platform to consider simultaneously seismic performance, energy efficiency and environmental footprint. The Multi-Objective Optimization technique is used to manage the conflicting goals towards the optimal solution, delivering adaptable, open-plan layouts in buildings with high seismic performance and low embodied and operational carbon emissions. The framework is applied to four different seismic and climatic scenarios, locating the building in Italy and New Zealand. Two Pareto-optimal solutions are selected and compared for each location, and their effective seismic performance is finally assessed by refined numerical analyses using a fragility-based approach. The research outcomes show the influence of different seismic hazards and climate on the whole-building performance, at the same time demonstrating the advantages of the Pres-Lam technology in delivering sustainable and resilient buildings.