Biomimetic Structural Optimization of High-Rise Buildings Based on Bamboo Culm Structure: Nonlinear Pushover Analysis of Bionic and Conventional Framing SystemsStructure: Systems

Moshabaki Isfahani, Alireza; Hadavand Mirzaei, Mostafa; Nateghi Gargari, Behnam; Attarhai Tehrani, Alireza

doi:10.22034/ijumes.2025.735602

Biomimetic Structural Optimization of High-Rise Buildings Based on Bamboo Culm Structure: Nonlinear Pushover Analysis of Bionic and Conventional Framing SystemsStructure: Systems

Authors

Alireza Moshabaki Isfahani ¹

Mostafa Hadavand Mirzaei ¹

Behnam Nateghi Gargari ²

Alireza Attarhai Tehrani ²

¹ Department of Art and Architecture, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Art and Architecture, ST.,C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/ijumes.2025.735602

Abstract

High-rise buildings are subject to significant lateral forces, including seismic and wind loads, making structural optimization a critical challenge in contemporary architectural and engineering design. While conventional framing systems address stability requirements, they often fall short in simultaneously achieving material efficiency, ductility, and lateral load resistance. This study investigates whether biomimetic structural configurations inspired by the hierarchical structure of bamboo culm, particularly its peripheral vascular bundle distribution and graded fiber density can outperform conventional high-rise framing systems under lateral loading conditions. The primary objective is to identify optimal structural patterns for tall buildings by translating bamboo’s biological architecture into steel framing geometries, with particular emphasis on improving stiffness, ductility, and material efficiency. Eight 20-story steel structural models were developed and analyzed, comprising two conventional configurations, four peripheral bionic column arrangements, and two diagrid systems with inclined perimeter members. All models were standardized with identical floor area, story height, steel volume, and loading conditions. Nonlinear pushover analysis was performed using SAP2000 software, applying triangular lateral load distributions, with a 2% inter-story drift ratio defined as the failure threshold. The results showed that modeling the structure of bamboo walls significantly increases stiffness and ductility and reduces material consumption and ultimately reduces construction costs. These findings confirm that peripheral column arrangements inspired by bamboo vascular bundle distribution effectively replicate the plant’s mechanical behavior, offering a viable biomimetic framework for optimizing high-rise structural design with reduced material consumption.

Graphical Abstract

Biomimetic Structural Optimization of High-Rise Buildings Based on Bamboo Culm Structure: Nonlinear Pushover Analysis of Bionic and Conventional Framing SystemsStructure: Systems

Highlights

· Presenting an optimal structural pattern for high-rise buildings inspired by the biological structure of bamboo stem and venation

· Significant increase in stiffness and ductility of bamboo-inspired high-rise structures compared to conventional urban buildings

· Reduction in material consumption and construction costs using bio-inspired patterns in high-rise structural design

· Application of nonlinear pushover analysis to evaluate seismic performance of bamboo-inspired forms

· Providing quantitative evidence of the superiority of bio-inspired structures over conventional structures in terms of stability and structural efficiency

Keywords

Bamboo culm structure

Biomimetic structural design

High-rise building optimization

Lateral load resistance

Nonlinear pushover analysis

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