Performance-based, AI-ML-assisted Generative EA Design with Bio-inspired Topological Optimisations of a 50m, 3D-printed Steel Bridge

Abstract

—AI-ML-assisted Generative Design (GD) using Evolutionary Algorithms (EA) techniques and Topology Optimization (TO) has undergone massive growth over the past few years. As a result, AI and GD have essential applications in many fields, such as Industrial & Product Design, Medicine, Synthetic Biology, Infrastructure, Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC). This research paper discusses the performance-based workflows for AI-ML assisted, cloud computation and EA-driven Generative Design with topological optimisation to reduce weight and cost. The discussed research is a lightweight real-world hybrid, awarded 50 m robot 3d-printed bluemint®steel bridge design and off-the-shelf steel tube prefabrication in Germany, completed in June 2023. [3] The generative bridge design with finite element structural analysis (FEA) and cloud-driven deep neural network (GNN) scenarios will demonstrate the largest 3d-printed Wire-and-arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) pedestrian/bicycle bridge inspired by biology worldwide.