Dynamic Simulation Software as a Graphic Tool forEnergy Efficient Building Design

摘要

Building designers are increasing their use of computer software to more effectively take advantage of analytical tools that arernuseful to the design process. The area of energy analysis, though developing for twenty years or more, is still not eff ectivelyrnintegrated into the conceptual design process. Too often, energy Performance is evaluated as an after thought or it is done onlyrnfor compliance to local energy codes. One reason that energy principles are ignored in design is that building designers arernaccustomed to communicating in graphical formats during the design process, and energy performance is typically representedrnin numerical formats Energy results are often presented in labular forms and are therefore hard to visualize by the designer.rnThis paper presents results of research that was intended to encourage energy considerations early in the design processrnthrough the use of dynamic simulation of energy results along with the pictorial representation of the b ulding's physical form.rnDie software allows a designer to dynamically simulate sun motion, shadow patterns, energy performance, costs, and thermalrnimpacts on walls, windows, and roofs Much of this is done in bar-chart format while sun motion and shadow patterns arerndone with animation. The program also permits the designer to interactively alter (through icon selections) wall materials,rnwindow types, occupancy parameters, lighting levels, and mechanical system types Results of every parameter change arernrevealed graphically in real time animation.rnPart of the research endeavor was to include design knowledge in a database that would help advise the designer on spacernlayouts, material selections, and practical limitations on building features such as percent glazing and story heights. An energyrnknowledge base provides advice to the designer as to which building parameters would be most likely to improve the energyrnperformance if modifiedrnThe software operates on a Silicon Graphics workstation under the UNIX operating system and is developed in the Crnlanguage. High resolution graphics is also an essential ingredient to beneficial use of the software.