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Streszczenie:
This paper introduces Crowd-Z (CZ): a framework that provides a user-friendly platform where architects can perform simple crowd simulations on floor plans. A simple but robust and flexible agent-based system is used for modeling of the crowd dynamics. Such simulations can be performed at any stage of design – from rough sketches to the final blueprints. CZ allows acquiring the layouts for the simulations in a number of ways: freehand sketches, importing already prepared images and appropriating preprocessed images from commercially available Computer Aided Design programs. These three methods are illustrated with practical examples, followed by a number of simulations compared with the literature or other commercially available programs.

Słowa kluczowe:
Pedestrian dynamics, Agent based modeling, Design support, Digitized floor plan

Streszczenie:
Truss-Z (TZ) is a concept of a modular system for creating free-form links and ramp networks. It is intended as a universal transportation system for cyclists and pedestrians, especially ones with strollers or carts, and in particular – by persons on wheelchairs, the elders, etc. In other words, TZ is for people who have difficulties using regular stairs or escalators. With only two types of modules, TZ can be designed for nearly any situation and therefore is particularity suited for retrofitting to improve the mobility, comfort and safety of the users. This paper presents an application of evolution strategy (ES) and genetic algorithm (GA) for optimization of the planar layout of a TZ linkage connecting two terminals in a given environment. The elements of the environment, called obstacles, constrain the possible locations of the TZ modules. Criteria of this multi-objective optimization are: the number of modules to be the smallest, which can be regarded as quantitative economical optimization, and the condition that none of the modules collides with any other objects, which can be regarded as qualitative satisfaction of the geometrical constraints. Since TZ is modular, the optimization of its layout is discrete and therefore has combinatorial characteristic. Encoding of a planar TZ path, selection method, objective (cost) function and genetic operations are introduced. A number of trials have been performed; the results generated by ES and GA are compared and evaluated against backtracking-based algorithm and random search. The convergence of solutions is discussed and interpreted. A visualization of a realistic implementation of the best solution is presented. Further evaluation of the method on three other representative layouts is presented and the results are briefly discussed.

Słowa kluczowe:
Truss-Z, Modular skeletal system, Organic design, Meta-heuristic discrete optimization, Retrofitting, Pedestrian ramp

Streszczenie:
A practical application of cellular automata (CA) in the field of Architecture is presented, where one-dimensional CA on a square grid drives a modular shading system of a building facade. Examples of three classes: general, semi-totalistic and totalistic of two-color one-dimension range-two automata are analyzed for potential practical use. The problem of desired change in the opacity of the shading array as a function of the sequence of initial conditions (SIC) is discussed. The ideal SlCs for selected CAs on 12 x 12 cell arrays found by backtracking algorithm are presented. The influenee of the type of boundary conditions (BC) is discussed and a special type of a fixed BC is introduced. The robustness of the system under two types of permanent failure is analyzed - the single cell failure, and deactivation of a single column of cells.

Słowa kluczowe:
Adaptive architecture, modular shading system, fixed boundary conditions, Robustness, failure

Streszczenie:
This paper presents the concept of Truss-Z (TZ) – a skeletal system for pedestrian traffic which is composed of only two modules and allows the creation of complex three-dimensional self-supporting networks connecting any number of terminals in a given environment. TZ is intended as a universal, feasible and practical system for newly designed situations and most importantly, for retrofitting, especially where the use of heavy equipment is impossible or uneconomic.
TZ allows automated creation of optimal spatial links where the only required inputs are the coordinates of the terminals and the geometry of the obstacles. As an example a six-terminal network created with a backtracking based algorithm is shown. An alternative method of aligning consecutive modules to a given 3D path is also presented.
A preliminary static analysis of the TZ module is carried out – the topological qualities of rigidity and independence are demonstrated.

Słowa kluczowe:
Truss-Z, Modular skeletal system, Self-supporting structure, Organic design, Discrete structural optimization, Retrofit pedestrian link, Pathfinding with backtracking