Automation Concept for the First Adaptive High-Rise Structure D1244

Abstract

Increasing global population and urbanization pose challenges in the construction industry due to limited resources. Adaptive buildings introduce the field of ultra-lightweight structures and promise a 50% resource reduction, while doubling the building's lifespan. They comprise sensors, actuators and a control unit and can actively counteract external disturbances. This paper presents an automation concept for such adaptive high-rise structures. By collecting the measurements of redundant sensors (e.g. strain gauges, position and pressure sensors) as well as of an optical measurement system, reliable estimation of the structural state is ensured, even in case of faults. The sensor information is processed in a cascaded control loop including decentralized programmable logic controllers (PLC). The computed control forces are applied to the structure by multiple hydraulically driven actuators integrated into the structural elements. An Ethernet-based network communication system ensures the reliable transfer of high amounts of data between the PLC units and a wear monitoring system, that continuously monitors the structural wear. The proposed automation concept is implemented exemplary for the first adaptive high-rise building world-wide and shows the potential to actively compensate static loads and damp structural vibrations, while ensuring the continuous and safe operation of the system.