Nowadays, building performance simulation (BPS) is still primarily used for code compliance checking in the Netherlands whilst it could provide the user already useful design information by e.g. indicating design solutions or introducing uncertainty analysis (UA) and sensitivity analysis (SA). This paper summarizes results from an ongoing research introducing UA and SA in BPS. A case study is performed based on a hypothetical building which is part of an international test method for assessing the accuracy of BPS tools with respect to various building performance parameters.

This paper presents the concept and a test implementation of a digital representation of the physical world designed to assess comfort quality in future environments. An integrated set of physical phenomena is modeled three-dimensionally to investigate the dynamic behavior of design objects holistically. The formulation supports the integration of computational simulation in the performance-based design process. It employs the principles of geometrical and physical selfcontainedness to avoid that complex geometrical and physical circumstances have to be specified at design time.

The paper presents the theory for a design tool to calculate drying of concrete, from green condition to flooring. The degree of hydration, the cement ratio of the concrete, the temperature and the moisture state are taken into account. The moisture calculations are based on the use of Kirchhoff potentials. Calculation examples and comparison with experiments are also given in the paper.

In the modern architectural design, large space open area is widely used, for example, atrium, airport, open office, etc. Radiation heat transfer provides better indoor thermal comfort and makes it possible to apply high temperature cooling and low temperature heating. This will lead to high energy efficiency. Water carrying radiation systems, e.g. cooling ceiling and floor heating system, become an applicable solution for a good indoor climate design. The floor cooling is less effective than floor heating and can provide usually limited cooling capacity.

Domed skylights are important architectural design elements to deliver daylight and solar heat into buildings and connect building’s occupants to outdoor. However, most of building energy simulation programs do not cover such skylights to quantify their energy performance when installed in buildings. This paper presents a numerical study on natural laminar convection within vertically eccentric domed cavities when heated from the exterior surface. Both interior and exterior surfaces are held at uniform temperatures.

According to the National Institute of Building Science (2006), one of the main goals of building commissioning is to “maintain facility performance across its life cycle”. In recent years, the maturing of sensing technology has helped to advance this vision through sensor-assisted building commissioning.

While people need to know tomorrow’s weather to decide suitable activities and precautions, so do the “intelligent” building management systems. The accuracy of the short-term prediction of the ambient conditions is particularly import for the development  of predictive control strategies.

In Portugal, the external thermal insulation systems (ETIS) are nowadays a current technical solution in residential buildings, contrasting with the rarely used internal thermal insulation systems (ITIS). In this paper, a quantitative analysis on ITIS is done based on three hygrothermal façade requirements: interstitial condensations, thermal bridges, and temperature variations across the external wall. Computer simulation was used as research tool.

Building performance simulation (BPS) is a powerful technique to predict the performance of a design proposal. It is extensively used towards the end of the design process to, for example, prove code compliance. However, its potential to provide design guidance early in the design process is rarely exploited. That is although decisions taken during conceptual design have a disproportionate impact on the final building performance, relative to time and effort consumed (Domeschek et al, 1994). To intensify the use of BPS early is to extend its capabilities.

A performace assessment study has been performed on the application of Stirling engine (SE) and Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) residential cogeneration systems in single family detached houses in Canada. Detailed mathematical component models, calibrated with measured data from prototypes, were combined into the whole-building simulation program ESP-r with synthetic electricity and domestic hot water demand profiles from calibrated event based generators to realistically forecast the Greenhouse gas emission reduction and efficiency improvement of these new technologies. Simulation models and