Parametric design and optimization for lava tubes-like lunar arch habitation with large span

Establishing a permanent lunar base is essential for prolonged human habitation, scientific exploration, and resource exploitation on the Moon. This paper proposes a novel habitat that merges the features of lunar lava tubes with the benefits of in-situ construction techniques to create a lava tube-like protective lunar structure with a large span that includes two unique arch curves. This structure is refined for in-situ construction, usable volume, structural rigidity, and thermal insulation through parametric design tools, utilizing the Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-III) to refine seven design parameters. The optimal structural configuration is identified by selecting the arch apex with the minimum displacement from the Pareto set. To reduce stress concentrations in the shelter, the arch abutment is re-engineered, resulting in a ladder-like design that decreases the maximum stress by 63.69 % and maximum displacement by 75.13 %.