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Article
Publication date: 26 June 2020

Hong Xian Li, Zhiliang Ma, Hexu Liu, Jun Wang, Mohamed Al-Hussein and Anthony Mills

The operational phase of a building's lifecycle is receiving increasing attention, as it consumes an enormous amount of energy and results in tremendous detrimental impacts on the…

Abstract

Purpose

The operational phase of a building's lifecycle is receiving increasing attention, as it consumes an enormous amount of energy and results in tremendous detrimental impacts on the environment. While energy simulation can be applied as a tool to evaluate the energy performance of a building in operation, the emergence of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology is expected to facilitate the evaluation process with predefined and enriched building information. However, such an approach has been confronted by the challenge of interoperability issues among the related application software, including the BIM tools and energy simulation tools, and the results of simulation have been seldom verified due to the unavailability of corresponding experimental data. This study aims to explore the interoperability between the commonly used energy simulation and BIM tools and verifies the simulation approach by undertaking a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

With Autodesk Revit and EnergyPlus selected as the commonly used BIM and energy simulation tools, respectively, a valid technical framework of transferring building information between two tools is proposed, and the interoperability issues that occur during the data transfer are studied. The proposed framework is then employed to simulate the energy consumption of a single-family house, and sensitivity analysis and analysis on such parameters as schedule are conducted for building operations to showcase its applicability.

Findings

The simulation results are compared with monitored data and the results from another simulation tool, HOT2000; the comparison reveals that EnergyPlus and HOT2000 predict the total energy consumption with a difference from the monitoring data of 8.0 and 7.1%, respectively.

Practical implications

This research shows how to efficiently use BIM to support building energy simulation. Relevant stakeholders can learn from this research to avoid data loss during BIM model transformation.

Originality/value

This research explores the application of BIM for building energy simulation, compares the simulation results among different tools and validates simulation results using monitored data.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 27 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2019

Yasaman Yousefi, Mehdi Jahangiri, Akbar Alidadi Shamsabadi and Afshin Raeesi Dehkordi

Reducing energy consumption of a building may have a significant effect on the energy and environmental costs. Nowadays, energy simulations have come to the aid of engineers in…

Abstract

Purpose

Reducing energy consumption of a building may have a significant effect on the energy and environmental costs. Nowadays, energy simulations have come to the aid of engineers in the design and implementation of buildings with a perspective on energy consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

In the current study, the suggested volume of a residential building in the Savadkuh City, Iran, is modeled using Ecotect® software, and the amount of radiation on the sides during various months of the year is studied. Then, using EnergyPlus™ software, climate analyses are performed on the suggested design, and finally, the amount of heating and cooling loads of the building are examined under two difference scenarios of mediator space.

Findings

Results indicated that nearly at all times of the year, both the heating and cooling loads were reduced in the scenario where mediator space had two functions, i.e. as greenhouse and as a space for higher ventilation, compared to the scenario where mediator space did not have a climate role and merely served as an entrance and passageway with rigid dividers.

Originality/value

Nowadays, energy simulations have come to the aid of engineers in the design and implementation of buildings with a perspective on energy consumption. Therefore, in the current study, the suggested volume of a residential building in the Savadkuh City, Iran, is modeled using Ecotect® software, and the amount of radiation on the sides during various months of the year is studied. Then, using EnergyPlus™ software, climate analyses are performed on the suggested design, and finally, the amount of heating and cooling loads of the building are examined under two difference scenarios of mediator space.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 July 2015

Jie Zhao, Khee Poh Lam, Tajin Biswas and Haopeng Wang

This study aims to develop a web-based tool – LEED Energy Performance Online Submission Tool (LEPOST) to reduce the submission cost of the leadership in energy and environmental…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to develop a web-based tool – LEED Energy Performance Online Submission Tool (LEPOST) to reduce the submission cost of the leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) application process and facilitate green building design. Lifecycle cost reduction is a major driver for designing green buildings. LEED rating system has been well recognised and widely used in the green building industry. However, certification cost incurred in time and money is often a deterrent for some projects.

Design/methodology/approach

LEPOST automatically maps EnergyPlus and eQUEST energy simulation results to the LEED energy performance requirement submission templates using an extensible markup language (XML) data structure. It incorporates the Energy Star Target Finder online engine and current utility data to calculate points required to assess LEED Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite 2 and Credit 1 automatically.

Findings

A comparative case study is conducted using an office building project. The study results show that the tool can reduce the amount of time for the LEED energy performance evaluation and submission process from more than 6 hours to 2 minutes. The total number of manual data entries is reduced from 442 to 20.

Research limitations/implications

Future work includes the update to support LEED V4, the development of a parametric design function that can help design teams perform design alternatives to evaluate energy performance with minimum effort, and the integration with the LEED Online system.

Practical implications

The use of the tool by the building industry may decrease the cost of LEED certification for building owners, developers and design teams by simplifying the submission process.

Originality/value

The overall development framework of LEPOST contributes to the knowledge of the data interoperability in the building sector by demonstrating a viable solution to extract and map digital model information for achieving code and standard compliance purposes.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 October 2022

Stefania Stellacci, Leonor Domingos and Ricardo Resende

The purpose of this research is to test the effectiveness of integrating Grasshopper 3D and measuring attractiveness by a categorical based evaluation technique (M-MACBETH) for…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to test the effectiveness of integrating Grasshopper 3D and measuring attractiveness by a categorical based evaluation technique (M-MACBETH) for building energy simulation analysis within a virtual environment. Set of energy retrofitting solutions is evaluated against performance-based criteria (energy consumption, weight and carbon footprint), and considering the preservation of the cultural value of the building, its architectural and spatial configuration.

Design/methodology/approach

This research addresses the building energy performance analysis before and after the design of retrofitting solutions in extreme climate environments (2030–2100). The proposed model integrates data obtained from an advanced parametric tool (Grasshopper) and a multi-criteria decision analysis (M-MACBETH) to score different energy retrofitting solutions against energy consumption, weight, carbon footprint and impact on architectural configuration. The proposed model is tested for predicting the performance of a traditional timber-framed dwelling in a historic parish in Lisbon. The performance of distinct solutions is compared in digitally simulated climate conditions (design scenarios) considering different criteria weights.

Findings

This study shows the importance of conducting building energy simulation linking physical and digital environments and then, identifying a set of evaluation criteria in the analysed context. Architects, environmental engineers and urban planners should use computational environment in the development design phase to identify design solutions and compare their expected impact on the building configuration and performance-based behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The unavailability of local weather data (EnergyPlus Weather File (EPW) file), the high time-resource effort, and the number/type of the energy retrofit measures tested in this research limit the scope of this study. In energy simulation procedures, the baseline generally covers a period of thirty, ten or five years. In this research, due to the fact that weather data is unavailable in the format required in the simulation process (.EPW file), the input data in the baseline is the average climatic data from EnergyPlus (2022). Additionally, this workflow is time-consuming due to the low interoperability of the software. Grasshopper requires a high-skilled analyst to obtain accurate results. To calculate the values for the energy consumption, i.e. the values of energy per day of simulation, all the values given per hour are manually summed. The values of weight are obtained by calculating the amount of material required (whose dimensions are provided by Grasshopper), while the amount of carbon footprint is calculated per kg of material. Then this set of data is introduced into M-MACBETH. Another relevant limitation is related to the techniques proposed for retrofitting this case study, all based on wood-fibre boards.

Practical implications

The proposed method for energy simulation and climate change adaptation can be applied to other historic buildings considering different evaluation criteria and context-based priorities.

Social implications

Context-based adaptation measures of the built environment are necessary for the coming years due to the projected extreme temperature changes following the 2015 Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. Built environments include historical sites that represent irreplaceable cultural legacies and factors of the community's identity to be preserved over time.

Originality/value

This study shows the importance of conducting building energy simulation using physical and digital environments. Computational environment should be used during the development design phase by architects, engineers and urban planners to rank design solutions against a set of performance criteria and compare the expected impact on the building configuration and performance-based behaviour. This study integrates Grasshopper 3D and M-MACBETH.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 42 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 March 2023

Ibrahim Neya, Daniel Yamegueu, Adamah Messan, Yezouma Coulibaly, Arnaud Louis Sountong-Noma Ouedraogo and Yawovi Mawuénya Xolali Dany Ayite

The stabilization of earthen blocks improves their mechanical strength and avoids adobe construction erosion due to rainwater. However, the stabilization affects the thermal…

Abstract

Purpose

The stabilization of earthen blocks improves their mechanical strength and avoids adobe construction erosion due to rainwater. However, the stabilization affects the thermal properties of the earthen blocks, and thus their capacity to provide adequate thermal comfort to occupants. This article examines the influence of cement and geopolymer binders on thermal comfort in compressed earthen buildings in hot and arid climates.

Design/methodology/approach

The test cell is on the building platform in Burkina Faso. The building is made of compressed earth blocks (CEB) consisting of laterite, water and binder. The thermal models of the building were implemented in EnergyPlus v9.0.1 software. Empirical validation is used to check whether the model used for the thermal dynamic simulation can reproduce with accuracy the thermal behavior in a real situation. The adaptive thermal comfort model of ASHRAE 55–2010 was used to assess thermal comfort in long-term hot and dry tropical conditions.

Findings

The results show that the CEB buildings remain hot despite the use of cement or geopolymer binder. Indeed, with both cement and geopolymer binders, on a daily basis, 19 h and 15 h are uncomfortable during, respectively, the hot and cold seasons. An increase of 1% in cement content raises the comfort hours by 9.2 h during the hot season and 11.7 h during the cold season. Hence, the comfort time varies linearly with the cement content in the building material. Moreover, there is no linear relationship between comfort time and geopolymer rate.

Research limitations/implications

Complementary work should also assess the influence of stabilization on building humidity levels. In fact, earthen materials are very sensitive to outdoor humidity and indoor humidity affects thermal comfort even if it is not taken into account in the ASHRAE adaptive thermal comfort model.

Practical implications

The present study will certainly contribute to a better valorization of clay potential in countries with similar climatic conditions.

Social implications

The use of geopolymer binder is a suitable ecological option to replace the cement binder. It is important to mention that nighttime comfort can be increased through passive strategies such as natural ventilation.

Originality/value

Most CEB material stabilization analyses including cement and geopolymer ones were mostly investigated at the laboratory scale and less at the building scale. Also, the influence of the binder rate on the thermal performance of buildings made of cement and geopolymer has not yet been assessed. This paper fills this gap of knowledge by assessing the impact of cement and geopolymer binder rates on the thermal comfort of CEB dwellings.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2019

Pan Lee, Edwin H.W. Chan, Queena K. Qian and Patrick T.I. Lam

Design teams have difficulties in assessing building carbon emissions at an early stage, as most building energy simulation tools require a detailed input of building design for…

Abstract

Purpose

Design teams have difficulties in assessing building carbon emissions at an early stage, as most building energy simulation tools require a detailed input of building design for estimation. The purpose of this paper is to develop a user-friendly regression model to estimate carbon emissions of the preliminary design of office buildings in the subtropics by way of example. Five sets of building design parameters, including building configuration, building envelope, design space conditions, building system configuration and occupant behaviour, are considered in this study.

Design/methodology/approach

Both EnergyPlus and Monte Carlo simulation were used to predict carbon emissions for different combinations of the design parameters. A total of 100,000 simulations were conducted to ensure a full range of simulation results. Based on the simulation results, a regression model was developed to estimate carbon emissions of office buildings based on preliminary design information.

Findings

The results show that occupant density, annual mean occupancy rate, equipment load, lighting load and chiller coefficient of performance are the top five influential parameters affecting building carbon emissions under the subtropics. Besides, the design parameters of ten office buildings were input into this user-friendly regression model for validation. The results show that the ranking of its simulated carbon emissions for these ten buildings is consistent with the original carbon emissions ranking.

Practical implications

With the use of this developed regression model, design teams can not only have a simple and quick estimation of carbon emissions based on the building design information at the conceptual stage but also explore design options by understanding the level of reduction in carbon emissions if a certain building design parameter is changed. The study also provides recommendations on building design to reduce carbon emissions of office buildings.

Originality/value

Limited research has been conducted to date to investigate how the change of building design affects carbon emissions in the subtropics where four distinct seasons lead to significant variations of outdoor temperature and relative humidity. Previous research also did not emphasise on the impact of high-rise office building designs (e.g. small building footprint, high window-to-wall ratio) on carbon emissions. This paper adds value by identifying the influential parameters affecting carbon emissions for a high-rise office building design and allows a handy estimate of building carbon emissions under the subtropical conditions. The same approach may be used for other meteorological conditions.

Details

Facilities , vol. 37 no. 11/12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2020

Majid Mazhar, Majid Abdouss, Farhad Zarifi and Mojdeh Zargaran

The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance of eight perylene diimide pigments as a hypothetical building facades using EnergyPlus.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance of eight perylene diimide pigments as a hypothetical building facades using EnergyPlus.

Design/methodology/approach

A hypothetical building located in Tehran is modeled using EnergyPlus, and the effectiveness of the pigments was examined. Furthermore, the performance of the pigments was compared with those of common commercial black (carbon black) and red (iron oxide) pigments.

Findings

The results show that the studied black pigments reduce the cooling energy demand up to 37 per cent in comparison with carbon black paint and the red ones, which reduce the value by as much as 32 per cent in comparison to iron oxide.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates that the application of cool paints rather than common paints will significantly reduce the cooling energy demand and subsequent costs.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 49 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 June 2023

Edward Ayebeng Botchway, Kofi Agyekum, Jenefailus Nikoi Kotei-Martin and Samuel Owusu Afram

This study explores the utilization of simulation tools for building performance assessments among design professionals in Ghana.

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores the utilization of simulation tools for building performance assessments among design professionals in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was used to obtain responses from 104 design professionals in Ghana through a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was generated through a critical review of the related literature on the subject matter. Data from respondents were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

Results from the analysis indicated that design professionals in Ghana possessed a low level of awareness of the simulation tools used for building performance assessments. Subsequently, the findings also revealed that the design professionals' level of usage of the simulation tools was low.

Practical implications

Practically, the establishment of this study informs design stakeholders, educational institutions and researchers in Ghana. For design professionals, these findings will focus on enhancing their use of simulation tools for evaluating building performance in Ghana. For educational institutions, these findings will enable them to implement the necessary strategies for incorporating the concept of building performance simulation into their curriculum in order to boost awareness and utilization. Finally, researchers will also use the study's findings to identify any research gaps for future studies.

Originality/value

The findings from this study pioneer knowledge on an under-investigated topic within the Ghanaian construction industry. It also provides insight into the developing state-of-the-art technology employed in the built environment.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2021

Jafar Taheri, Talie Tohidi Moghadam, Sorayya Taheri, Mohadeseh Kafiyan Safari and Fereshteh Eslami

This paper aims to address Passive Design Strategies (PDSs) in the traditional houses of Sabzevar and to assess the adaptation level of these strategies to the climate of the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to address Passive Design Strategies (PDSs) in the traditional houses of Sabzevar and to assess the adaptation level of these strategies to the climate of the region.

Design/methodology/approach

Identifying the Sabzevar climate, five samples of traditional houses have been chosen to be analyzed via two stages. In stage one, the efficiency of each strategy is weighted through qualitative analysis, and in stage two, the houses are simulated in EnergyPlus 9.3.0 to quantitatively evaluate their heating and cooling performances.

Findings

The obtained results from the energy performance analysis of the case studies indicate that the houses present diverse energy performances in different seasons. Those buildings with PDSs for both cold-arid and hot-arid climates, however, are more adaptable cases to the climate of the region.

Originality/value

The results of this study are expected to provide a basis of materials and methods for the climatic assessment of the traditional buildings, specifically traditional houses and will open new doors to future studies about the integration of these potential PDSs with the new technological developments and climate considerations as well as protecting the conservation policies of these buildings by means of optimizing and improving their energy performance and implementing effective retrofit scenarios.

Details

Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-1266

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 December 2021

Elahe Mirabi and Fatemeh Akrami Abarghuie

The earth-sheltered building is an adaptive strategy reducing energy consumption as well as increasing thermal comfort of the residents. Although this idea historically…

Abstract

Purpose

The earth-sheltered building is an adaptive strategy reducing energy consumption as well as increasing thermal comfort of the residents. Although this idea historically implemented in the city of Yazd, Iran, its effects on thermal comfort have not been studied thoroughly. This paper aims to discuss and analyze energy performance, in terms of parameters such as orientation, underground depth, nocturnal ventilation and its subsequent effects on thermal comfort in earth-sheltered buildings in Yazd.

Design/methodology/approach

Using EnergyPlus software, the obtained numeric data are precisely modeled, simulated and analyzed.

Findings

Results show that there is a direct relationship between depth of construction and energy consumption savings. The more construction depth of earth-sheltered buildings, the more percentage of energy consumption savings, that is of a higher rate in comparison to the aboveground ones. However, in south orientation, energy saving significantly reduces from depth of 2 m downwards and the annual indoor temperature fluctuation decreases by 50%. This subsequently yields to experiencing indoor thermal comfort for a significant number of days throughout the year. Considering the effects of orientation factor, the south orientation regardless of the depth provides the most desired outcome regarding energy savings.

Originality/value

Simulating the model generalized to the sunken courtyard can approve that the results of this research can be applied to the other models.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 41 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

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