Towards an Interactive Model Validation Facility

With the accelerating use of building performance prediction models in a design context, the need for comprehensive program accreditation procedures is becoming more pressing. This paper recognises the importance of the validation component of such a procedure and makes a case for containing much of the present knowledge about validation within an interactive facility centred on test cells. This facility would possess physical elements - the experimental and computing infrastructure to enable future monitoring studies - and virtual elements - the software structures and knowledge sources to support the process and represent best practice. The paper shows that many of these features have been developed in previous research projects, and in particular, have been brought together within the framework of a major European research initiative involving the testing of building components and model validation. Finally, the steps required to capitalize on the present capability are elaborated.