Altair Case Studies Innovative Architectural Design and Teaching at Biberach University with Altair's OptiStruct

	Innovative Architectural Design and Teaching at Biberach University with Altair's OptiStruct Altair

Innovative Architectural Design and Teaching at Biberach University with Altair's OptiStruct

Altair

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Computer Vision Software Networks & Connectivity - Radio Access Network
Applicable Industries	Buildings Construction & Infrastructure
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Construction Management Smart Campus
Challenge	Biberach University of Applied Sciences, specifically the Institute for Architecture and Urban Development, was faced with the challenge of creating modern, functional, stiff, and light architectural designs. The university wanted to provide its students with practical experience and introduce them to cutting-edge design and engineering tools. The challenge was to create designs that were not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally efficient and cost-effective. The university also aimed to foster a higher level of collaboration between engineers and architects, reduce the number of design iterations, and ensure that the final design remained faithful to the initial concept. Read More
About Customer	Biberach University of Applied Sciences is a technical university that emphasizes practical education. The university offers programs in various fields including architecture, urban planning, civil engineering, business, energy efficiency, biotechnology, real estate, project management, and construction. It cultivates close ties to the business world, connecting its research institutes with like-minded companies. The university’s Institute for Architecture and Urban Development, founded in 2010, fosters research in the field of architecture. The institute’s only civil engineer, Professor Lochner, teaches courses on architectural design with a special focus on engineering concepts. Read More
Solution	The university turned to Altair's OptiStruct, a tool familiar to Professor Lochner, the institute’s only civil engineer. OptiStruct’s topology optimization capability, which is based on the evolution of organic structures over millions of years, was used to inspire structurally efficient architectural designs. In a recent course, Prof. Lochner asked her students to create building designs in OptiStruct based on two biological structures: the diatom and the cactus. The students designed a load-bearing dome structure inspired by the diatom’s shell and a skyscraper emulating a columniform cactus. The designs were optimized to maximize stiffness, minimize material, and withstand wind forces. The use of OptiStruct helped in reducing the number of design iterations and fostered synergy between architecture and engineering. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Computer Vision Software

Networks & Connectivity - Radio Access Network

Applicable Industries

Buildings

Construction & Infrastructure

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Construction Management

Smart Campus

Challenge

Biberach University of Applied Sciences, specifically the Institute for Architecture and Urban Development, was faced with the challenge of creating modern, functional, stiff, and light architectural designs. The university wanted to provide its students with practical experience and introduce them to cutting-edge design and engineering tools. The challenge was to create designs that were not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally efficient and cost-effective. The university also aimed to foster a higher level of collaboration between engineers and architects, reduce the number of design iterations, and ensure that the final design remained faithful to the initial concept.

About Customer

Biberach University of Applied Sciences is a technical university that emphasizes practical education. The university offers programs in various fields including architecture, urban planning, civil engineering, business, energy efficiency, biotechnology, real estate, project management, and construction. It cultivates close ties to the business world, connecting its research institutes with like-minded companies. The university’s Institute for Architecture and Urban Development, founded in 2010, fosters research in the field of architecture. The institute’s only civil engineer, Professor Lochner, teaches courses on architectural design with a special focus on engineering concepts.

Solution

The university turned to Altair's OptiStruct, a tool familiar to Professor Lochner, the institute’s only civil engineer. OptiStruct’s topology optimization capability, which is based on the evolution of organic structures over millions of years, was used to inspire structurally efficient architectural designs. In a recent course, Prof. Lochner asked her students to create building designs in OptiStruct based on two biological structures: the diatom and the cactus. The students designed a load-bearing dome structure inspired by the diatom’s shell and a skyscraper emulating a columniform cactus. The designs were optimized to maximize stiffness, minimize material, and withstand wind forces. The use of OptiStruct helped in reducing the number of design iterations and fostered synergy between architecture and engineering.

Impact #1	The use of Altair's OptiStruct at Biberach University of Applied Sciences led to several operational benefits. The tool allowed the students to create designs that were not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally efficient and cost-effective. The optimization-driven design approach fostered a higher level of collaboration between engineers and architects, reducing the number of design iterations. This resulted in a final design that was more faithful to the initial concept and a simpler construction process. The lighter buildings also translated into reduced material consumption and costs. The university plans to continue using Altair’s solutions in future courses and research projects, further enhancing the practical learning experience for its students.

Impact #1

The use of Altair's OptiStruct at Biberach University of Applied Sciences led to several operational benefits. The tool allowed the students to create designs that were not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally efficient and cost-effective. The optimization-driven design approach fostered a higher level of collaboration between engineers and architects, reducing the number of design iterations. This resulted in a final design that was more faithful to the initial concept and a simpler construction process. The lighter buildings also translated into reduced material consumption and costs. The university plans to continue using Altair’s solutions in future courses and research projects, further enhancing the practical learning experience for its students.

Benefit #1	Creation of lighter and stiffer buildings
Benefit #2	Significant material reduction leading to cost savings
Benefit #3	Fewer design iterations required

Benefit #1

Creation of lighter and stiffer buildings

Benefit #2

Significant material reduction leading to cost savings

Benefit #3

Fewer design iterations required

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Overview

Innovative Architectural Design and Teaching at Biberach University with Altair's OptiStruct

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit