This paper presents the concept of an "open" simulation environment for performance-driven designexploration as a multi-directional approach to computer-aided daylighting modeling. A prototypicalrealization of a Generative Simulation Tool for Architectural Lighting (GESTALT) for simultaneoustreatment of daylighting-related design and performance variables is introduced. Earlier studies demonstrated that GESTALT can operate in an "explicit" mode, using a fast-response computational module.
This paper deals with the problem of empirical validation of thermal performance computer programs. It begins with a brief review of a number of techniques which have been used as a measure of the goodness-of-fit between measured and predicted data in a variety of empirical validation exercises. Several inadequacies inherent in existing techniques are identified as, a) no attempt is made to take into account the severity of the validation test. b) none give a single measure of the success (or otherwise) of the test. c) isolation of sources of error are difficult.
Dealing with issues of acquiring and accessing design knowledge in the conceptual stage of the design process is the focus of this research. This research starts by presenting a brief background about the limitations of the available energy-based CAAD tools. It then provides an illustration and description of the entire architecture of the conceptual model, identifies its different components and explains the relationships and interactions among these components.
Field measurements of the thermal performance of five low cost houses in Malaysia were carried out. Thermal simulation tests were performed on two of the houses, a traditional Malay village house, and a modem urban Cluster-Link house. "Me measured and the modelled results were found to agree, indicating a significantly higher overnight internal temperature in the modem house compared to the traditional house. The model was then used to predict the thermal performance of a new design low cost house, which was shown to perform similarly to the traditional house type.
A new energy efficiency code for nonresidential buildings is being developed in Canada. This code will have three compliance paths for building envelope requirements-simple prescriptive tables, a trade off procedure, and whole-building energy performance modelling. A simple means of estimating the relationship between building envelope characteristics and energy consumption was needed both for economic analyses to select prescriptive envelope values, and as the basic energy model for tradeoff compliance software.
Building designers are increasing their use of computer software to more effectively take advantage of analytical tools that are useful to the design process. The area of energy analysis, though developing for twenty years or more, is still not effectively integrated into the conceptual design process. Too often, energy Performance is evaluated as an after thought or it is done only for compliance to local energy codes.
A new service has been developed to assist new home?builders to examine the design options with a view to improving the energy efficiency and comfort of their new home. The service combines the skills of a trained advisor with versatility of a new computer package that enables thermal evaluation of the options within a one hour consultation. The developments that make this possible are described.
A set of statistical regression equations was developed to predict relative heating and cooling loads of external zones of commercial buildings. The equations were derived from the coil loads predicted by several thousand DOE-2 simulations.
The topic of this paper is the use of low temperature air (40 F or 5 C) for room cooling. Cold air systems can offer energy and space savings relative to higher temperature cooling systems. As the supply temperature and flowrate are reduced, considerations such as adequate flowrate, jet dumping or separation, condensation on duct walls, and decreased relative humidity become increasingly important. Cold air jet separation from the ceiling can be a problem resulting in unacceptable thermal discomfort in the occupied zone.
In this paper, we develop a discrete approach to describe the transport of condensible vapors through a microporous substance. We consider only isothermal water migration under uniform atmospheric air pressure, at temperature lower than 100C with negligible gravity. The pore-structure which is supposed to be representative of the material is built on a 2D random network of tubes. The basic phenomena (adsorption/desorption, diffusion, condensation) that occur during the water vapor transport in a single cylindrical pore at the steady state are taken into account.
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