BIM and CFD Based Simulation Approach in Reducing Thermal Energy Demands of a Residential Building: A Case Study in Bangladesh

Abstract

With rising energy demands and impending climate crises driven by high energy consumption, household energy demand reduction is becoming vital for resilient development. This paper demonstrates how building information modeling (BIM) based thermal demand simulation, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis can help in sustainable building design decisions. Especially regarding selecting the sets of construction materials and components that help reduce building cooling energy demand while considering natural wind flow. Thus, the designers can forecast occupant thermal satisfaction utilizing a bioclimatic chart. The fourth level of a typical five-story residential building in Bangladesh was selected as the case study since residential building types are responsible for a significant percentage of national electricity demands, especially in the month of June. The case study building was replicated on Autodesk Revit. The energy analysis was done using BIM-centric cooling loads calculations based on building location, design characteristics, and material properties. Autodesk CFD software was used for ventilation simulation. Then material modifications with two alternative designs were conducted in the BIM model to produce different cooling load demands. These results are then compared with the initial design that uses conventionally used materials. The study examines the various building envelope materials designs, the different building components, and their individual leverage in reducing thermal energy demands. This will help orient further research toward selecting materials and building components with the most potential for thermal energy management while considering natural ventilation potential—especially regarding Bangladeshi climatic conditions.