How can photovoltaic steel structure carports balance lightweight design and disaster resistance under strong winds or snow loads through structural topology optimization?
Publish Time: 2026-02-19
With the continuous expansion of "photovoltaic+" applications, photovoltaic steel structure carports have become typical infrastructure integrating green power generation, parking shelter, and space utilization. However, these structures are exposed to the outdoors for extended periods and must simultaneously withstand multiple loads, including wind pressure, snow load, temperature changes, and the weight of the modules themselves. Especially in typhoon-prone or high-altitude, snowy regions, their structural safety faces severe challenges.1. Load Characteristic Analysis: Clarifying Optimization Boundary ConditionsThe stress characteristics of photovoltaic carports differ from traditional buildings. Their roofs are covered with large-area photovoltaic modules, forming a large windward surface and snow-bearing surface, which easily generates negative pressure suction under strong winds or causes localized bending moment concentration when snow accumulation is uneven. Simultaneously, carports are typically large-span, low-profile structures lacking wall support, resulting in relatively weak overall stiffness. Therefore, before topology optimization, an accurate load model must be established based on local meteorological data, and the most unfavorable combination of working conditions must be considered to ensure that the optimization results are adaptable to real-world environments.2. Topology Optimization: From "Uniform Material Distribution" to "Intelligent Reinforcement"Traditional carport designs often use beams and columns with uniform cross-sections or regular trusses, resulting in significant material redundancy. Topology optimization, through finite element simulation and mathematical algorithms, automatically "deletes" low-stress areas within a given design domain, retaining efficient force transmission paths and forming lightweight, high-strength structures with biomimetic or organic forms. For example, designing the main beam as a variable cross-section fish-belly shape, or introducing Y-shaped or X-shaped support ribs at key nodes, can significantly improve bending and torsional stiffness. For large-span carports, spatial grid structures or tensioned beam systems can also be used, utilizing prestress to offset some external loads, achieving a "flexible yet strong" mechanical effect, reducing weight by 15%–30% while improving overall stability.3. Material and Connection Synergy: System-Level Guarantee for Lightweight DesignLightweight design is not just about reducing steel usage; it requires integrated design of materials, structure, and connections. High-strength steel can reduce component cross-sectional dimensions and lower wind resistance; cold-formed thin-walled steel is suitable for standardized production and facilitates modular assembly. Meanwhile, connection nodes are often weak points in the structure. In topology optimization, the impact of bolt hole positions and weld arrangements on local stress should be considered simultaneously to avoid brittle fracture of nodes due to excessive material removal. Adopting plug-in or weld-free node designs can not only speed up construction but also reduce the heat-affected zone and improve fatigue life.4. Multi-Objective Trade-offs: Unity of Safety, Cost, and MaintainabilityIt is worth noting that topology optimization is not simply about pursuing the lightest possible weight. Overly complex irregular structures may increase processing difficulty and cost, and are not conducive to later cleaning, maintenance, or component replacement. Therefore, manufacturing constraints and constructability criteria are often introduced in engineering practice to ensure that the optimization results are both mechanically efficient and easy for industrial production.Photovoltaic steel structure carports, as a product of the integration of energy and architecture, are seeing their structural design shift from experience-driven to data and algorithm-driven approaches. Through scientific topology optimization, a state of "rigid yet not clumsy, light yet not weak" can be achieved under extreme loads such as strong winds and snow accumulation. In the future, with the integration of parametric design, digital twin, and intelligent monitoring technologies, photovoltaic carports will not only be power plants, but also safe, efficient, and intelligent infrastructure units.
