Building Performance Simulation

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Jan Hensen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • occupant behavior in identical residential Buildings a case study for occupancy profiles extraction and application to Building Performance Simulation
    Building Simulation, 2019
    Co-Authors: Antonio Muroni, Pieterjan P Hoes, Isabella Gaetani Dellaquila Daragona, Jan Hensen
    Abstract:

    This study employs a simplified Knowledge Discovery in Database (KDD) to extract occupancy, equipment and light use profiles from a database referred to 12 all-electric prefabricated dwellings in the Netherlands. The profiles are then integrated into a Building Performance Simulation (BPS) model using the software TRNSYS v17. The significance of the extracted profiles is verified by comparing the total and end-use yearly electricity consumption of the investigated dwellings as predicted by the Simulation tool with on-site measurements. For the considered dwellings, using standard OB modeling results in an underestimation of the energy use intensity (EUI) by 5.9% to 42.5%, depending on the case. The integration of the occupant behavior (OB) profiles improves the total electricity consumption prediction from an initial 22.9% average deviation from measurements to 1.7%. The results corroborate that the 1.6x discrepancy observed in the Buildings’ energy use intensity could be entirely ascribed to OB. Then, the knowledge extracted from the households’ database is used to propose a local electricity market framework to reduce the electricity bill and grid dependency of all households. This study confirms the need for appropriate OB modeling in BPS, it shows the potential of the KDD method for successful OB profiles extraction, and is a first example of data-mined OB profiles integration in BPS, as well as of OB profiles deployment for a practical application other than energy use prediction.

  • Building Performance Simulation for design and operation
    2019
    Co-Authors: Jan Hensen, Roberto Lamberts
    Abstract:

    1 Introduction to Building Performance Simulation Jan Hensen (Eindhoven University of Technology) and Roberto Lamberts (Federal University of Santa Catarina) 2 The role of Simulation in Performance based Building Godfried Augenbroe (Georgia Institute of Technology, USA) 3 Weather Data for Building Performance Simulation Dru Crawley (Bentley Systems, Inc., USA) and Chip Barnaby (Wrightsoft, USA) 4 People in Building Performance Simulation Ardeshir Mahdavi (Vienna University of Technology, Austria) 5 Thermal load and energy Performance prediction Jeffrey Spitler (Oklahoma State University, USA) 6 Ventilation Performance Prediction Jelena Srebric (Pennsylvania State University, USA) 7 Indoor Thermal Quality Performance Prediction Christoph van Treeck (Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics, Germany) 8 Room Acoustics Performance Prediction Ardeshir Mahdavi (Vienna University of Technology, Austria) 9 Daylight Performance Predictions Christoph Reinhart (Harvard University, USA) 10 Moisture phenomena in whole Building Performance prediction Jan Carmeliet (ETH, Zurich, Switzerland) Bert Blocken (Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands), Thijs Defraeye (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium) and Dominique Derome (EMPA, Switzerland) 11 HVAC systems Performance prediction Jonathan Wright (Loughborough University, UK) 12 Micro-cogeneration system Performance predicition Ian Beausoleil-Morrison (Carleton University, Canada) 13 Building Simulation for practical operational optimization David Claridge (Texas A&M University, USA) 14 Building Simulation in Building automation systems Gregor P Henze (University of Colorado, USA) and Christian Neumann (Fraunhofer Institute, Freiburg, Germany) 15 Integrated resource flow modelling of the urban built environment Darren Robinson (EPFL, Switzerland) 16 Building Simulation for policy support Dru Crawley (Bentley Systems, Inc., USA) 17 A view on future Building system modeling and Simulation Michael Wetter (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA)

  • review of current status requirements and opportunities for Building Performance Simulation of adaptive facades
    Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 2017
    Co-Authors: Rcgm Roel Loonen, Fabio Favoino, Jan Hensen, Mauro Overend
    Abstract:

    Adaptive Building envelope systems have the potential of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the energy flexibility of Buildings, while maintaining high levels of indoor environmental quality. The development of such innovative materials and technologies, as well as their real-world implementation, can be enhanced with the use of Building Performance Simulation (BPS). Performance prediction of adaptive facades can, however, be a challenging task and the information on this topic is scarce and fragmented. The main contribution of this review article is to bring together and analyse the existing information in this field. In the first part, the unique requirements for successful modelling and Simulation of adaptive facades are discussed. In the second part, the capabilities of five widely used BPS tools are reviewed, in terms of their ability to model energy and occupant comfort Performance of adaptive facades. Finally, it discusses various ongoing trends and research needs in this field.

  • integrated Building Performance Simulation progress prospects and requirements
    Building and Environment, 2015
    Co-Authors: J A Clarke, Jan Hensen
    Abstract:

    This paper is concerned with the role of Building Performance Simulation (BPS) in assisting with the creation of energy efficient habitats. It characterises achievements to date in a non-program-specific manner and in relation to the ultimate goal of providing practitioners with the means to appraise, accurately and rapidly, the multi-variate Performance of built environments of arbitrary complexity. The shortcomings of the state-of-the-art, when assessed against this goal, are used to identify future development priorities.

  • selection criteria for Building Performance Simulation tools contrasting architects and engineers needs
    Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 2012
    Co-Authors: Shady Attia, Liliana Beltran, Jan Hensen, Andre De Herde
    Abstract:

    This article summarises a study undertaken to reveal potential challenges and opportunities for using Building Performance Simulation (BPS) tools. The article reviews current trends in Building Simulation and outlines major criteria for BPS tool selection and evaluation based on analysing users' needs for tools capabilities and requirement specifications. The research is carried out by means of a literature review and two online surveys. The findings are based on an inter-group comparison between architects and engineers. The aim is to rank BPS tool selection criteria and compare 10 state-of-the-art BPS tools in the USA market. Five criteria are composed to stack up against theories and practices of BPS. Based on the experience gained during the survey, suggested criteria are critically reviewed and tested. The final results indicate a wide gap between architects' and engineers' priorities and tool ranking. This gap is discussed and suggestions for improvement of current tools are presented.

Christina J Hopfe - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • teaching Building Performance Simulation through a continuous learning cycle
    Building Simulation, 2015
    Co-Authors: Ian Beausoleilmorrison, Christina J Hopfe
    Abstract:

    During the past decades Building Performance Simulation tools have become complex. Alternate methods are offered for resolving many of the significant heat and mass transfer processes and energy conversion systems. At the same time, modern user interfaces allow users to quickly ascend the learning curve to operate tools in order to produce Simulation predictions, although the prediction of accurate results is perhaps becoming more challenging. This paper argues that a complete and continuous learning cycle that includes exposure to theories and the application of tools from the start can be used to effectively teach Building Performance Simulation. Examples of the application of the various stages of this learning cycle are provided and recommendations are made for the further development of pedagogical methods.

  • hygrothermal implications of low and zero energy standards for Building envelope Performance in the uk
    Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 2013
    Co-Authors: Robe S Mcleod, Christina J Hopfe
    Abstract:

    Driven by climate change legislation and high rates of fuel poverty, the UK faces multiple challenges both in new build and upgrading the existing stock. How these challenges are addressed will have long-term impacts on the Building fabric, occupant comfort and wellbeing. Building Performance Simulation has an important role to play in this process, yet it is widely recognized that over-simplification in the modelling of physical phenomena leads to substantial sources of error. Moisture is a major cause of damage in Buildings, and the Glaser method is a widely used steady-state method used to calculate the vapour pressure difference in a Building's envelope. Although known for its limitations, it is the principal method used to assess moisture response in the UK. This paper evaluates the current situation in the UK, addressing fuel poverty targets, advanced energy saving standards and changing boundary conditions and their compounding implications for Building envelope Performance.

  • uncertainty analysis in Building Performance Simulation for design support
    Energy and Buildings, 2011
    Co-Authors: Christina J Hopfe, Jlm Jan Hensen
    Abstract:

    Abstract Building Performance Simulation (BPS) has the potential to provide relevant design information by indicating directions for design solutions. A major challenge in Simulation tools is how to deal with difficulties through large variety of parameters and complexity of factors such as non-linearity, discreteness, and uncertainty. The purpose of uncertainty and sensitivity analysis can be described as identifying uncertainties in input and output of a system or Simulation tool [1] , [2] , [3] . In practice uncertainty and sensitivity analysis have many additional benefits including: (1) With the help of parameter screening it enables the simplification of a model [4] . (2) It allows the analysis of the robustness of a model [5] . (3) It makes aware of unexpected sensitivities that may lead to errors and/or wrong specifications (quality assurance) [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] . (4) By changing the input of the parameters and showing the effect on the outcome of a model, it provides a “what-if analysis” (decision support). [11] . In this paper a case study is performed based on an office Building with respect to various Building Performance parameters. Uncertainty analysis (UA) is carried out and implications for the results considering energy consumption and thermal comfort are demonstrated and elaborated. The added value and usefulness of the integration of UA in BPS is shown.

  • an investigation of the option space in conceptual Building design for advanced Building Simulation
    Advanced Engineering Informatics, 2009
    Co-Authors: Christian C Struck, Pieter De Wilde, Christina J Hopfe, Jan Hensen
    Abstract:

    This article describes research conducted to gather empirical evidence on size, character and content of the option space in Building design projects. This option space is the key starting point for the work of any climate engineer using Building Performance Simulation who is supporting the design process. The underlying goal is to strengthen the role of advanced computing in Building design, especially in the early conceptual stage, through a better integration of Building Performance Simulation tools augmented with uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analysis. Better integration will need to assist design rather than automate design, allowing a spontaneous, creative and flexible process that acknowledges the expertise of the design team members. This research investigates and contrasts emergent option spaces and their inherent uncertainties in an artificial setting (student design studios) and in real-life scenarios (commercial design project case studies). The findings provide empirical evidence of the high variability of the option space that can be subjected to uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analysis.

  • uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in Building Performance Simulation for decision support and design optimization
    2009
    Co-Authors: Christina J Hopfe
    Abstract:

    Building Performance Simulation (BPS) uses computer-based models that cover Performance aspects such as energy consumption and thermal comfort in Buildings. The uptake of BPS in current Building design projects is limited. Although there is a large number of Building Simulation tools available, the actual application of these tools is mostly restricted to code compliance checking or thermal load calculations for sizing of heating, ventilation and air-conditions systems in detailed design. The aim of the presented work is to investigate opportunities in BPS during the later phases of the design process, and to research and enable innovative applications of BPS for design support. The research started from an existing and proven design stage specific Simulation software tool. The research methods applied comprise of literature review, interviews, rapid iterative prototyping, and usability testing. The result of this research is a prototype Simulation based environment that provides add-ons like uncertainty and sensitivity analysis, multi-criteria and disciplinary decision making under uncertainty, and multi-objective optimization. The first prototype addressing the uncertainties in physical, scenario, and design parameters provides additional information through figures and tables. This outcome helps the designer in understanding how parameters relate to each other and to comprehend how variations in the model input affect the output. It supports the design process by providing a basis to compare different design options and leads therefore to an improved guidance in the design process. The second approach addresses the integration of a decision making protocol with the extension of uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. This prototype supports the design team in the design process by providing a base for communication. Furthermore, it supports the decision process by providing the possibility to compare different design options by minimizing the risk that is related to different concepts. It reduces the influence of preoccupation in common decision making and avoids pitfalls due to a lack of planning and focus. The third and last approach shows the implementation of two multi-objective algorithms and the integration of uncertainty in optimization. The results show the optimization of parameters for the objectives energy consumption and weighted overand underheating hours. It shows further how uncertainties impact the Pareto frontier achieved. The applicability and necessity of the three implemented approaches has further been validated with the help of usability testing by conducting mock-up presentations and an online survey. The outcome has shown that the presented results enhance the capabilities of BPS and fulfil the requirements in detailed design by providing a better understanding of results, guidance through the design process, and supporting the decision process. All three approaches have been found important to be integrated in BPS.

Jlm Jan Hensen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Simulation based support for product development of innovative Building envelope components
    Automation in Construction, 2014
    Co-Authors: Rcgm Roel Loonen, Sundaravelpandian Singaravel, Marija M Trcka, Daniel D Costola, Jlm Jan Hensen
    Abstract:

    Abstract A need for innovation in Building envelope technologies forms a key element of technology roadmaps focusing on improvements in Building energy efficiency. Many new products are being proposed and developed, but often, a lack of insights into Building integration issues is an obstacle in typical product development processes. The main objective of this paper is to demonstrate the potential of expanding the application area of whole-Building Performance Simulation and analysis towards decision-making support in the domain of research and development of such innovative Building products. We propose a Simulation-based approach that can help overcome several of the existing limitations. The methodology combines Building Performance Simulation together with sensitivity analysis and structured parametric studies to provide multi-scale, multi-disciplinary information about the Performance of different product variants. The strength of this computational approach lies in increased opportunity for analysis and informed decision-making on the basis of whole-Building Performance information, and therefore less dependence on trial and error procedures. This methodology is illustrated in an application example of a new type of switchable glazing where we give recommended directions for improved product specifications.

  • uncertainty analysis in Building Performance Simulation for design support
    Energy and Buildings, 2011
    Co-Authors: Christina J Hopfe, Jlm Jan Hensen
    Abstract:

    Abstract Building Performance Simulation (BPS) has the potential to provide relevant design information by indicating directions for design solutions. A major challenge in Simulation tools is how to deal with difficulties through large variety of parameters and complexity of factors such as non-linearity, discreteness, and uncertainty. The purpose of uncertainty and sensitivity analysis can be described as identifying uncertainties in input and output of a system or Simulation tool [1] , [2] , [3] . In practice uncertainty and sensitivity analysis have many additional benefits including: (1) With the help of parameter screening it enables the simplification of a model [4] . (2) It allows the analysis of the robustness of a model [5] . (3) It makes aware of unexpected sensitivities that may lead to errors and/or wrong specifications (quality assurance) [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] . (4) By changing the input of the parameters and showing the effect on the outcome of a model, it provides a “what-if analysis” (decision support). [11] . In this paper a case study is performed based on an office Building with respect to various Building Performance parameters. Uncertainty analysis (UA) is carried out and implications for the results considering energy consumption and thermal comfort are demonstrated and elaborated. The added value and usefulness of the integration of UA in BPS is shown.

  • an exploration of the option space in student design projects for uncertainty and sensitivity analysis with Performance Simulation
    2008
    Co-Authors: Christian C Struck, Christina J Hopfe, De Pjcj Wilde, Jlm Jan Hensen
    Abstract:

    This paper describes research conducted to gather empirical evidence on extent, char- acter and content of the option space in Building design projects, from the perspective of a climate engineer using Building Performance Simulation for concept evaluation. The goal is to support uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analysis integrated to Building Performance Simulation (BPS) tools. The integration will need to assist design rather than automate design, allowing a sponta- neous, creative and flexible process that acknowledges the expertise of the design team members. The paper investigates the emergent option space and its inherent uncertainties of an artificial set- ting (student design studios). The preliminary findings provide empirical evidence of the high variability of the option space that can be subjected to uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analy- sis.

  • on supporting design decisions in conceptual design addressing specification uncertainties using Performance Simulation
    2007
    Co-Authors: Christian C Struck, Jlm Jan Hensen
    Abstract:

    Building Performance Simulation (BPS) is a powerful technique to predict the Performance of a design proposal. It is extensively used towards the end of the design process to, for example, prove code compliance. However, its potential to provide design guidance early in the design process is rarely exploited. That is although decisions taken during conceptual design have a disproportionate impact on the final Building Performance, relative to time and effort consumed (Domeschek et al, 1994). To intensify the use of BPS early is to extend its capabilities. One issue to be addressed is the Building Performance uncertainty due to a wide range of plausible (uncertain) design decisions. A case study was conducted to evaluate the use and potential of uncertainty and sensitivity analysis techniques in BPS to support conceptual design. It was found that the techniques can be implemented with little effort. The results are promising for making explicit design decisions and for improving inter-design team communication.

Tianzhen Hong - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Building Simulation: Ten challenges
    Building Simulation, 2018
    Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong, Jared Langevin, Kaiyu Sun
    Abstract:

    Buildings consume more than one-third of the world’s primary energy. Reducing energy use and greenhouse-gas emissions in the Buildings sector through energy conservation and efficiency improvements constitutes a key strategy for achieving global energy and environmental goals. Building Performance Simulation has been increasingly used as a tool for designing, operating and retrofitting Buildings to save energy and utility costs. However, opportunities remain for researchers, software developers, practitioners and policymakers to maximize the value of Building Performance Simulation in the design and operation of low energy Buildings and communities that leverage interdisciplinary approaches to integrate humans, Buildings, and the power grid at a large scale. This paper presents ten challenges that highlight some of the most important issues in Building Performance Simulation, covering the full Building life cycle and a wide range of modeling scales. The formulation and discussion of each challenge aims to provide insights into the state-of-the-art and future research opportunities for each topic, and to inspire new questions from young researchers in this field.

  • Occupant behavior models: A critical review of implementation and representation approaches in Building Performance Simulation programs
    Building Simulation, 2018
    Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong, Yixing Chen, Zsofia Belafi, Simona D’oca
    Abstract:

    Occupant behavior (OB) in Buildings is a leading factor influencing energy use in Buildings. Quantifying this influence requires the integration of OB models with Building Performance Simulation (BPS). This study reviews approaches to representing and implementing OB models in today’s popular BPS programs, and discusses weaknesses and strengths of these approaches and key issues in integrating of OB models with BPS programs. Two key findings are: (1) a common data model is needed to standardize the representation of OB models, enabling their flexibility and exchange among BPS programs and user applications; the data model can be implemented using a standard syntax (e.g., in the form of XML schema), and (2) a modular software implementation of OB models, such as functional mock-up units for co-Simulation, adopting the common data model, has advantages in providing a robust and interoperable integration with multiple BPS programs. Such common OB model representation and implementation approaches help standardize the input structures of OB models, enable collaborative development of a shared library of OB models, and allow for rapid and widespread integration of OB models with BPS programs to improve the Simulation of occupant behavior and quantification of their impact on Building Performance.

  • modeling of hvac operational faults in Building Performance Simulation
    Applied Energy, 2017
    Co-Authors: Rongpeng Zhang, Tianzhen Hong
    Abstract:

    Operational faults are common in the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of existing Buildings, leading to a decrease in energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Various fault detection and diagnostic methods have been developed to identify and analyze HVAC operational faults at the component or subsystem level. However, current methods lack a holistic approach to predicting the overall impacts of faults at the Building level—an approach that adequately addresses the coupling between various operational components, the synchronized effect between simultaneous faults, and the dynamic nature of fault severity. This study introduces the novel development of a fault-modeling feature in EnergyPlus which fills in the knowledge gap left by previous studies. This paper presents the design and implementation of the new feature in EnergyPlus and discusses in detail the fault-modeling challenges faced. The new fault-modeling feature enables EnergyPlus to quantify the impacts of faults on Building energy use and occupant comfort, thus supporting the decision making of timely fault corrections. Including actual Building operational faults in energy models also improves the accuracy of the baseline model, which is critical in the measurement and verification of retrofit or commissioning projects. As an example, EnergyPlus version 8.6 was used to investigate the impacts of a number of typical operational faults in an office Building across several U.S. climate zones. The results demonstrate that the faults have significant impacts on Building energy Performance as well as on occupant thermal comfort. Finally, the paper introduces future development plans for EnergyPlus fault-modeling capability.

  • occupant behavior modeling for Building Performance Simulation current state and future challenges
    Energy and Buildings, 2015
    Co-Authors: Da Yan, William Obrien, Xiaohang Feng, Tianzhen Hong, Burak H Gunay, Farhang Tahmasebi, Ardeshir Mahdavi
    Abstract:

    Abstract Occupant behavior is now widely recognized as a major contributing factor to uncertainty of Building Performance. While a surge of research on the topic has occurred over the past four decades, and particularly the past few years, there are many gaps in knowledge and limitations to current methodologies. This paper outlines the state-of-the-art research, current obstacles and future needs and directions for the following four-step iterative process: (1) occupant monitoring and data collection, (2) model development, (3) model evaluation, and (4) model implementation into Building Simulation tools. Major themes include the need for greater rigor in experimental methodologies; detailed, honest, and candid reporting of methods and results; and development of an efficient means to implement occupant behavior models and integrate them into Building energy modeling programs.

  • occupant behavior impact onenergy use of private offices
    ASim 2012 - 1st Asia conference of International Building Performance Simulation Association. Shanghai China 11 25 12-11 27 12, 2013
    Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong
    Abstract:

    xxxxxx E RNEST O RLANDO L AWRENCE B ERKELEY N ATIONAL L ABORATORY Occupant Behavior: Impact on Energy Use of Private Offices Tianzhen Hong 1 , Hung-Wen Lin 2 Environmental Energy Technologies Division Green Energy and Environment Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan, ROC January 2013 This work was supported by the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center for Building Energy Efficiency, of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02- 05CH11231. This is a paper published at ASim 2012 - 1st Asia conference of International Building Performance Simulation Association.

Ardeshir Mahdavi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • the sensitivity of Building Performance Simulation results to the choice of occupants presence models a case study
    Journal of Building Performance Simulation, 2017
    Co-Authors: Farhang Tahmasebi, Ardeshir Mahdavi
    Abstract:

    The considerable Performance implications of occupants’ presence and behaviour in Buildings render the inclusion of corresponding models in Simulation applications both necessary and critical. In this context, an important question concerns the implications of different occupancy modelling approaches for Simulation results. The present contribution addresses this issue by modelling an office Building to obtain heating and cooling demands and peak loads. To represent occupants’ presence patterns in the model, standard-based and observed diversity profiles, stochastic realizations of these profiles, and the full-year observational occupancy data are deployed. Subsequently, a sequence of Simulation runs – involving Monte-Carlo Simulations of models with stochastic profiles – provides the distributions of results. The study suggests that the viability of Simulation results regarding Building-level annual heating and cooling demands and peak heating and cooling loads is primarily dependent on the availability ...

  • toward advanced representations of the urban microclimate in Building Performance Simulation
    Sustainable Cities and Society, 2016
    Co-Authors: Milena Vuckovic, Kristina Kiesel, Ardeshir Mahdavi
    Abstract:

    Abstract The present contribution is concerned with the potential of empirically-based methods to capture the microclimate variance across a city and its implications for the Performance of Buildings. We explore the possibility to explain microclimatic variance across an urban area based on geometric and semantic attributes of specific locations. We use high-resolution and dynamic weather data streams across numerous urban locations in the city of Vienna, Austria. Using advanced data extraction methods, the values of a number of urban attributes that are hypothesized to contribute to the urban microclimate variance (e.g. morphological factors, semantic properties of urban surfaces) are derived for these locations. The results point to possible correlations between location-based climatic conditions and distinct urban attributes that could be harnessed to formulate empirically-based algorithms for generating customized microclimatic boundary conditions.

  • occupant behavior modeling for Building Performance Simulation current state and future challenges
    Energy and Buildings, 2015
    Co-Authors: Da Yan, William Obrien, Xiaohang Feng, Tianzhen Hong, Burak H Gunay, Farhang Tahmasebi, Ardeshir Mahdavi
    Abstract:

    Abstract Occupant behavior is now widely recognized as a major contributing factor to uncertainty of Building Performance. While a surge of research on the topic has occurred over the past four decades, and particularly the past few years, there are many gaps in knowledge and limitations to current methodologies. This paper outlines the state-of-the-art research, current obstacles and future needs and directions for the following four-step iterative process: (1) occupant monitoring and data collection, (2) model development, (3) model evaluation, and (4) model implementation into Building Simulation tools. Major themes include the need for greater rigor in experimental methodologies; detailed, honest, and candid reporting of methods and results; and development of an efficient means to implement occupant behavior models and integrate them into Building energy modeling programs.

  • toward advanced representations of the urban microclimate in Building Performance Simulation
    Energy Procedia, 2015
    Co-Authors: Milena Vuckovic, Kristina Kiesel, Ardeshir Mahdavi
    Abstract:

    Abstract The present paper is concerned with the potential of empirically-based methods to capture the microclimate variance across a city and its implications for the Performance of Buildings. We explore the possibility to explain microclimatic variance across an urban area based on geometric and semantic attributes of specific locations. We use high-resolution and dynamic weather data streams across numerous urban locations in the city of Vienna, Austria. Using advanced data extraction methods, the values of a number of urban attributes that are hypothesized to contribute to the urban microclimate variance (e.g. morphological factors, semantic properties of urban surfaces) are derived for these locations. The results point to the likelihood that correlations between location-based climatic conditions and distinct urban attributes exist and could be potentially harnessed to formulate empirically- based algorithms for generating customized microclimatic boundary conditions.

  • user interactions with environmental control systems in Buildings
    2006
    Co-Authors: Ardeshir Mahdavi, Elham Kabir, Abdolazim Mohammadi, Lyudmila Lambeva, Claus Proglhof
    Abstract:

    The design and operation of energy-efficient systems for indoor environment control (heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting) can benefit from reliable (empirically grounded) information on occupants' actions to bring about changes in the status of Building control systems. Specifically, the computational modeling of occupants' controloriented control actions in Building Performance Simulation applications can be significantly improved based on such empirical information on user behavior. The present paper concerns the type and number of user control actions as related to Building systems in two office Buildings in Vienna.