Using building simulation to evaluate low carbon refurbishment options for airport buildings

The case study described in this paper illustrates the role building simulation can play in evaluating refurbishment options that reduce the carbon footprint of existing airport terminals. A model of the terminal building at a busy United Kingdom (UK) regional airport is used to test the effect of different interventions on the environmental and economic performance of the facility. A calibration process is described and each version of the model is simulated to include future passenger increases and weather scenarios.

Modelling the impacts of new UK future weather data on a school building

To investigate the impact of the new UK Climate Projections on building performance, a primary school building has been simulated with help of a dynamic building performance simulation package (EnergyPlus Version 6) using 4 sets of future test reference year data which were produced by the UK Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, Exeter University, Manchester University and Northumbria University respectively. Indoor operative temperatures, heating and cooling energy demand of the sample building at three locations (Edinburgh, Manchester and London) under future climate cond

Understanding envelope design: survey about architectural practice and building performance

This paper is part of a research that aims to develop simulation methods to support the architectural design practice. To do that, we need to understand how envelope design decisions are taken, which methods are more frequently used and which design definitions are relevant to take specific decisions. An online survey was developed to get information about the design process of professionals who are involved with architectural design. The survey was responded to by 51 architect-designers, 55 architect-researchers and 28 consultants from various countries.

Case study—how could we optimize the energy-efficient design for an extra-large railway station with a comprehensive simulation?

As a famous large-scale transportation hub in China, the Nanjing South Railway Station (NSRS) is a huge building of 380,000 m2 and 50 meters high, with complex vertical route organization and comprehensive function zones. Because of its large façade, skylight, and huge air infiltration, the NSRS has encountered many difficulties in terms of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) design, especially in calculating the most accurate heating and cooling loads during air infiltration.

Modelling and optimization of a biomimetic façade based on animal fur

Biomimicry offers opportunities to advance the development of flexible, adaptive facades. This paper focuses on fur heat transfer and translates the distinctive performance characteristics of animal fur to building envelopes. A tim-edependent mathematical model is developed to describe the application of fur to a façade. An optimised ‘fur’ layer was shown to have a thermal conductivity of 0.055 W/mK, compared with deer fur at 0.091 W/mK.  When an optimised, fur-lined façade was compared with a conventional lightweight façade under sunny summer conditions, heat gains reduced by up to 50%.

OpenStudio: an open source integrated analysis platform

High-performance buildings require an integrated design approach for all systems to work together optimally; systems integration needs to be incorporated in the earliest stages of design for efforts to be cost and energy-use effective. Building designers need a ful-l featured software framework to support rigorous, multidisciplinary building simulation. An open source framework—the OpenStudio Software Development Kit (SDK)—is being developed to address this need.

Optimizing the length of air supply duct in cross connections of Gotthard base tunnel

 “Gotthard Base Tunnel” with its 57 km long twin tracks is going to be the world’s longest train tunnel. The two tracks are connected to each other by means of 178 cross connections provided at regular intervals along the length of the tunnel. These cross connections are primarily used as technical rooms with operation relevant electronic devices installed in them. Additionally, these cross connections can be used as emergency exits from one tube to the other.

The design of the co-operative head office, Manchester

This paper describes how the use of BIM / simulation integrated within the design process for a new corporate office of 30,470sqm NIA for 3,200 people that is designed to BCO 2010 A grade standards (British Council for Offices, 2009), and incorporates a number of innovative low energy features including earth tubes for supply of tempered air, double skin façade; atrium and biofuel CHP, has influenced the design process when working to a very tight programme. Simulation was used to evaluate the building orientation, the performance of the double skin façade, potential for natural ventilation

Building envelope optimization using energy analysis

Energy analysis is an integral component of sustainable building practices. Energy analysis coupled with optimization techniques may offer solutions for greater energy efficiency over the life- time of the building. However, all such computations employ the energy used for operations to benchmark and develop optimal solutions. This paper used emergy analysis to develop a method to identify the optimal solution for a building envelope system so that it will perform to its maximum potential given the mix of energy sources used for heating and cooling.

Pages