Review Article
Material Efficiency Through Mechanics: A Systematic Review of Advanced Structural Modeling for Load-optimized Building Design
Girmay Mengesha Azanaw*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
22-39
Received:
1 June 2025
Accepted:
18 June 2025
Published:
4 August 2025
Abstract: Material efficiency has become a pressing concern in modern building design, driven by the need to reduce resource consumption and lower environmental impacts. This systematic review explores how advanced structural modeling contributes to the development of load-optimized, materially efficient structures. By focusing on computational techniques-including finite element analysis, topology optimization, parametric modeling, and AI-assisted design-the review underscores how these methods enhance the alignment between structural form and internal force distribution. Recent developments in geometry-informed design strategies, form-finding methods, and performance-based workflows are examined for their capacity to reduce material usage without compromising structural integrity or performance. Applications in shell structures, high-rise buildings, and complex architectural forms are presented as case studies, demonstrating how computational design approaches can deliver practical and measurable benefits in real-world contexts. At the same time, the review acknowledges persistent challenges such as computational accuracy, scalability of modeling methods, and the integration of engineering analysis with creative architectural processes. These issues highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and continuous refinement of digital tools. The findings suggest that structural mechanics can serve not only as a means of evaluation but also as a generative framework for design-guiding the creation of efficient, sustainable structures from the early conceptual stage. By bridging structural analysis and material responsibility, this study contributes to a broader conversation about how digital innovation and engineering principles can support the transition toward a more sustainable and resource-conscious built environment.
Abstract: Material efficiency has become a pressing concern in modern building design, driven by the need to reduce resource consumption and lower environmental impacts. This systematic review explores how advanced structural modeling contributes to the development of load-optimized, materially efficient structures. By focusing on computational techniques-in...
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