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Building simulation as assistance in the conceptual design

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Abstract

In order to realize the “design by simulation” concept in the building design, the methodology of applying the building simulation in the building’s conceptual design stage is the main theme discussed in this paper. The conceptual design stage is divided into four sub-stages, and the framework of the design is built by way of the simulation in the conceptual design stage. Moreover, the energy saving potential assessment by the simulation in the preliminary conceptual design stage is also discussed in detail, including the input/output information, the calculation method and procedure, and the requirements and information from architects, etc. The natural ventilation design is used as the first trial in this study, and the difference between the detailed conceptual design and the preliminary conceptual design is also discussed, and the new simulation methodology is further described. The main objective of this paper is to help avoid an incorrect decision in the conceptual design stage, as well as to provide a better base for the energy efficient design in the next stage by means of the building simulation tool.

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Abbreviations

A :

relevant matrix of natural ventilation network

A out :

relevant matrix of natural ventilation network used to describe air flowing from node to branch

B f :

basic loop matrix of the natural ventilation network

C p :

specific heat capacity of air (kJ/kg·°C)

DH :

branches’ pressure head vector (Pa)

F :

branches’ opening area (m2)

F min :

the allowable minimum value of the unknown air paths’ average opening area (m2)

F 1 :

known main air paths’ opening area vector (m2)

F 2 :

unknown main air paths’ opening area vector (m2)

G :

paths’ air flow volume vector (m3/s)

\( \bar G \) :

absolute value of paths’ air flow volume vector (m3/s)

G L :

independent paths’ air flow volume vector (m3/s)

i :

branch i

I :

unit matrix

j :

room j

m :

total number of air paths

m 1 :

number of unknown air paths

n 1 :

number of the occupied rooms

n 2 :

number of the auxiliary rooms

s :

branches’ resistance coefficient (kg/m3)

T :

air temperature vector of the nodes in the network (°C)

T 1 :

the occupied rooms’ air temperature vector (°C)

T 2 :

the auxiliary rooms’ air temperature vector (°C)

T bz :

basic air temperature vector in the rooms (°C)

T out :

outdoor air temperature written as vector (°C)

Z :

branches’ vertical height vector (m)

Φ 0 :

coefficient matrix that reflects the influence of the adjacent rooms’ air temperature on the current temperature

Φ havc :

coefficient matrix that reflects the influence of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system on the current temperature

ρ :

air density vector in the paths (kg/m3)

ρ 0 :

air density under reference temperature (26°C) (kg/m3)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Chunhai Xia, Yingxin Zhu & Borong Lin

Authors
  1. Chunhai Xia
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  2. Yingxin Zhu
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  3. Borong Lin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yingxin Zhu.

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Xia, C., Zhu, Y. & Lin, B. Building simulation as assistance in the conceptual design. Build. Simul. 1, 46–52 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-008-8107-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-008-8107-y

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