Integration of HVAC models into a hygrothermal whole building simulation tool

A combined simulation of the building envelope and the plant equipment is more realistic than simulating both separately and has the advantage that the modeler can use one software environment instead of multiple software environments. Tools that solve the coupled heat and moisture transfer for building components already exist. In this paper a software is introduced that uses the detailed simulation models of different building components (e.g., walls and windows) to generate a whole building simulation model. Furthermore, the extension of this software with HVAC models is described.

Effect of heat discharge by natural ventilation on indoor environment and heat removal structure

At present, for energy conservation, conscious utilization of natural ventilation is encouraged. However, the relationship between heat discharge through natural ventilation and heat loads has not been clarified yet. Accordingly, in this study, the effect of heat discharge through natural ventilation on indoor environments and heat removal structure is examined using a simulation model that can estimate the occupant thermal control behaviour and the characteristics of air conditioners.

Integrated dynamic electric and thermal simulations for a residential neighborhood: sensitivity to time resolution of boundary conditions

The sensitivity to time resolution of boundary conditions is studied for dynamic integrated simulation of thermal and electrical networks of a net zero energy residential neighborhood.

Energy performance of passive school buildings – an analysis of building properties and boundary conditions

To evaluate the requirements for passive school buildings, simplified calculation methods based on EN ISO 13790 are used. For these simplified calculations a fixed indoor temperature is used regardless the building properties, the climatic data or the building use data.  Considering the large impact of this temperature on the heating demand, an accurate estimation is important to obtain representative results. This paper analyses the accuracy of the fixed indoor temperature.

Validation of a hygrothermal whole building simulation software

One trend in whole building simulation is the incorporation of hygric interaction of room and enclosure. This allows besides a more detailed comfort assessment the optimization of building components to avoid moisture related damage or failure. Still, the main interest in the building design and optimization phase is the energy use combined with the occupants comfort. Several existing standards and guidelines allow the validation of building energy simulation tools, like ASHRAE 140 (ANSI/ASHRAE 140-2007 2007) or VDI 6020 (VDI Richtline 6020 2001).

Thermal environment prediction using CFD with a virtual mannequin model and experiment with subject in a floor heating room

For the surface temperature of clothing, body surface temperature, and detailed temperatures and heat flow phenomena of soles contacting the floor, results of measurement experiments using human subjects were compared with results of simulations conducted by CFD using a thermal mannequin. 

Modeling for building energy performance improvement in accordance with the local climatic settings: a case of a generalizable building design of intermediate health care facilities in Thailand

This study aims to conduct an Integrated Building Design process (IBD), collaborating a Building Information Modeling (BIM) application with a Building Energy Simulation tool (BES) to perform energy analysis, and improving the building energy performance of a Generalizable Building Design (GBD), an universal application on health care facilities design in Thailand, to state recommendations and guidelines of the BIM-BES integration for architects. A baseline model is created using a BIM system, exported by means of gbXML into a BES tool.

Users' behavior and energy performances of net zero energy buildings

This paper proposes to study the role and the user in the operation of the building and its impact on energy performance of buildings.  Some comparisons of the energy consumption and production of the buildings were calculated during the design stage are made against the measured data of the consumption and production of the buildings when they are being utilized.

Zero emission building envelopes -­ numerical simulations of a well-­insulated building with phase change material panels integrated in the floor

In this paper, numerical building energy simulations were  carried  out  with  weather  data  for  Karasjok,  Stuttgart  and  Seville,  to  evaluate  the  energy  saving potential of a floor with integrated PCM panels.  The  reference  case  was  a  lightweight  wood  frame  floor  construction.  The  effect  of  adding  different thicknesses  of  PCM,  concrete  and  wood  was  investigated. The main conclusions are: 

--There  is  a  significant  energy  saving potential  by  adding  thermal  mass  in  the  warmer climates in Stuttgart and Seville. 

CFD and PIV based investigation of indoor air flows dominated by buoyancy effects generated by human occupancy and equipment

This paper describes the full scale tests for air flows in a test chamber subject to heat loads generated by human occupancy and equipment. The Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique was used to investigate buoyancy-driven flows near the human thermal manikin “Victoria”. Based on the experimental facility details, a full scale 3-D CFD model of the test facility was generated. The results obtained from the CFD simulation were compared with data obtained from the PIV results. Results compare very well and demonstrate the potential usefulness of PIV as a CFD validation technique.  

Pages