Comparison of different optimal control strategies of a double-skin facade

This study presents optimal control strategies of the system using a Generalized Pattern Search and Genetic Algorithm. Then, the aforementioned two approaches are compared to three other optimal control strategies of a double skin façade reported in the literature. To compare control strategies, the lumped simulation model developed in the previous study (Yoon et al, 2009) is integrated into MATLAB optimization routines (patternsearch, ga) which determine optimal control variables (blind slat angle, airflow regime, and opening ratio of the ventilation dampers). It was found that the optimal control based on the Genetic Algorithm performs better than the others, but takes longer to search for converging solution sets.