Computer-oriented building design: Advances in daylighting and thermal simulation tools

1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 351-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Apian-Bennewitz ◽  
Manuel Goller ◽  
Sebastian Herkel ◽  
Anne Kovach-Hebling ◽  
Jan Wienold
2021 ◽  
Vol 2042 (1) ◽  
pp. 012122
Author(s):  
M Gkaintatzi-Masouti ◽  
J van Duijnhoven ◽  
M P J Aarts

Abstract Light via our eyes influences visual performance, visual comfort and visual experience, but also affects several health related, non-image-forming (NIF) responses. New metrics have been developed to quantify the NIF effects of light. In order to incorporate these in lighting design practice, simulation tools are required that are able to process information about the spectral distribution of light sources and materials. However, most of the tools currently used for daylight and electric light simulations simplify the spectrum into RGB (Red, Green, Blue) colour values. This paper presents an overview of the currently used programs for simulating the NIF effects of light in building design and discusses the possibility of using existing spectral rendering software as an alternative. A review of literature shows that mostly Radiance or Radiance-based programs have been used so far, but new user-friendly tools could employ existing spectral rendering tools. As the NIF effects of light gain greater importance in lighting design, new simulation workflows are needed. This paper aims to support the development of future workflows by presenting the current state-of-the-art.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ka Long Ringo Ng

Despite the proliferation of the usage of simulation programs in the conventional building design process, the use of thermal simulation programs in assessing energy and thermal performances of building designs are very limited. This thesis aims to investigate the role of thermal simulation programs in various phases of building projects‟ life cycles, and evaluate potential benefits these programs can bring. To illustrate the potential of these simulation programs, two case studies, one from the schematic design phase and the other from the post-occupancy phase, are presented. The thesis shows that, at each of these phases, thermal simulations can act as a feedback tool where performances of different strategies can be evaluated, which in turn allows energy conserving strategies to be recognized. The thesis also shows that, at the post-occupancy phase, conducting thermal simulation studies with existing buildings can also help highlight poor performances.


Author(s):  
Michael R. Wassmer ◽  
Michael J. Brandemuehl ◽  
Adam Jackaway

In 2002, the Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored the world’s first university competition to design and build a completely solar powered house. One requirement of the competition was to perform simulations of the house’s photovoltaic, solar thermal, and space conditioning systems. By instituting this requirement, DOE is encouraging the building industry to apply the “whole-building design” approach to residences as a method of reducing financial and environmental operation costs of the building over its lifetime. This paper describes the simulation approach taken by the University of Colorado Solar Decathlon Team. In addition to describing the process of simulating a zero-energy residential building, the specific results of the simulations and related parametric studies are also presented. The design and analysis process provides a case study in the application of six different simulation tools for zero-energy building design. Energy-10 provided an environment for parametric analysis of building design options during the critical early design phase. However, it lacks the flexibility to model solar electric, solar thermal, and specialized HVAC systems. FChart gave valuable guidance early in the project on the impact of solar system sizing and performance. TRNSYS is extremely flexible in that it can simulate various solar systems and the interactions of virtually any thermal system commonly found in buildings. This flexibility is accompanied by the burden of complexity and a generic user interface that limits its use as a routine building design tool. Radiance, AGI32, and ECOTECT provided specialized simulation tools for the integration of the daylight delivery system, external shading devices, and the electric lighting system. Additional development is required to better integrate these design needs into general building energy analysis tools.


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