Data-driven design of deployable structures: Literature review and multi-criteria optimization approach

Abstract Classification and development of the deployable structures is an ongoing process that started at the end of 20th century and is getting more and more attention throughout 21st. With the development of the technology, constructive systems and materials, these categorizations changed – adding new typologies and excluding certain ones. This work is giving a critical review of the work done previously and on the change of the categories. The special interest is given to the pantographs (or scissor structures) and the Zeigler’s dome as the form of their application. It is noticeable that after its introduction in 1977, the dome was a part of the initial classification, but with the time it lost its place. The reason for this is the introduction of more efficient scissor dome structures. However, perhaps with the use of data-driven design, this dome can be optimized and become relevant again. The second part of the paper is dedicated to the development of the structural optimization algorithm for panto-graph structures and its application on the example of Zeigler’s dome. Besides the direct analysis, the final part includes the generative optimization algorithm which could help to a decision-maker in the early stages of the design to understand and select the options for the structure.