The Experts below are selected from a list of 3939 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Tianzhen Hong - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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simulation aided Occupant centric building design a critical review of tools methods and applications
Energy and Buildings, 2020Co-Authors: Elie Azar, Tianzhen Hong, William Obrien, Salvatore Carlucci, Andrew J Sonta, Joyce Kim, Maedot S Andargie, Tareq Abuimara, Mounir El AsmarAbstract:Abstract Occupants are active participants in their built environment, affecting its performance while simultaneously being affected by its design and indoor environmental conditions. With recent advances in computer modeling, simulation tools, and analysis techniques, topics such as human-building interactions and Occupant Behavior have gained significant interest in the literature given their premise of improving building design processes and operating strategies. In practice, the focus of Occupant-centric literature has been mostly geared towards the latter (i.e., operation), leaving the implications on building design practices underexplored. This paper fills the gap by providing a critical review of existing studies applying computer-based modeling and simulation to guide Occupant-centric building design. The reviewed papers are organized along four main themes, namely Occupant-centric: (i) metrics of building performance, (ii) modeling and simulation approaches, (iii) design methods and applications, and (iv) supporting practices and mechanisms. Important barriers are identified for a more effective application of Occupant-centric building design practices, including the limited consideration of metrics beyond energy efficiency (e.g., Occupant well-being and space planning), the limited implementation and validation of the proposed methods, and the lack of integration of Occupant Behavior modeling in existing building performance simulation tools. Future research directions are discussed, covering large-scale international data collection efforts to move from generic assumptions about Occupant Behavior to specific/localized knowledge, improved metrics of measuring building performance, and improved industry practices, such as building codes, to promote an Occupant-in-the-loop approach to the building design process.
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Occupant Behavior models: A critical review of implementation and representation approaches in building performance simulation programs
Building Simulation, 2018Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong, Yixing Chen, Zsofia Belafi, Simona D’ocaAbstract: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.
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iea ebc annex 66 definition and simulation of Occupant Behavior in buildings
Energy and Buildings, 2017Co-Authors: Da Yan, Bing Dong, Tianzhen Hong, Simona Doca, Ardeshir Mahdavi, Isabella Gaetani, Xiaohang FengAbstract:More than 30% of the total primary energy in the world is consumed in buildings. It is crucial to reduce building energy consumption in order to preserve energy resources and mitigate global climate change. Building performance simulations have been widely used for the estimation and optimization of building performance, providing reference values for the assessment of building energy consumption and the effects of energy-saving technologies. Among the various factors influencing building energy consumption, Occupant Behavior has drawn increasing attention. Occupant Behavior includes Occupant presence, movement, and interaction with building energy devices and systems. However, there are gaps in Occupant Behavior modeling as different energy modelers have employed varied data and tools to simulate Occupant Behavior, therefore producing different and incomparable results. Aiming to address these gaps, the International Energy Agency (IEA) Energy in Buildings and Community (EBC) Programme Annex 66 has established a scientific methodological framework for Occupant Behavior research, including data collection, Behavior model representation, modeling and evaluation approaches, and the integration of Behavior modeling tools with building performance simulation programs. Annex 66 also includes case studies and application guidelines to assist in building design, operation, and policymaking, using interdisciplinary approaches to reduce energy use in buildings and improve Occupant comfort and productivity. This paper highlights the key research issues, methods, and outcomes pertaining to Annex 66, and offers perspectives on future research needs to integrate Occupant Behavior with the building life cycle.
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simulation and visualization of energy related Occupant Behavior in office buildings
Building Simulation, 2017Co-Authors: Yixing Chen, Tianzhen Hong, Xin Liang, Xuan LuoAbstract:In current building performance simulation programs, Occupant presence and interactions with building systems are over-simplified and less indicative of real world scenarios, contributing to the discrepancies between simulated and actual energy use in buildings. Simulation results are normally presented using various types of charts. However, using those charts, it is difficult to visualize and communicate the importance of Occupants’ Behavior to building energy performance. This study introduced a new approach to simulating and visualizing energy-related Occupant Behavior in office buildings. First, the Occupancy Simulator was used to simulate the Occupant presence and movement and generate Occupant schedules for each space as well as for each Occupant. Then an Occupant Behavior functional mockup unit (obFMU) was used to model Occupant Behavior and analyze their impact on building energy use through co-simulation with EnergyPlus. Finally, an agent-based model built upon AnyLogic was applied to visualize the simulation results of the Occupant movement and interactions with building systems, as well as the related energy performance. A case study using a small office building in Miami, FL was presented to demonstrate the process and application of the Occupancy Simulator, the obFMU and EnergyPlus, and the AnyLogic module in simulation and visualization of energy-related Occupant Behaviors in office buildings. The presented approach provides a new detailed and visual way for policy makers, architects, engineers and building operators to better understand Occupant energy Behavior and their impact on energy use in buildings, which can improve the design and operation of low energy buildings.
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ten questions concerning Occupant Behavior in buildings the big picture
Building and Environment, 2017Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong, Da Yan, Simona Doca, Chienfei ChenAbstract:Occupant Behavior has significant impacts on building energy performance and Occupant comfort. However, Occupant Behavior is not well understood and is often oversimplified in the building life cycle, due to its stochastic, diverse, complex, and interdisciplinary nature. The use of simplified methods or tools to quantify the impacts of Occupant Behavior in building performance simulations significantly contributes to performance gaps between simulated models and actual building energy consumption. Therefore, it is crucial to understand Occupant Behavior in a comprehensive way, integrating qualitative approaches and data- and model-driven quantitative approaches, and employing appropriate tools to guide the design and operation of low-energy residential and commercial buildings that integrate technological and human dimensions. This paper presents ten questions, highlighting some of the most important issues regarding concepts, applications, and methodologies in Occupant Behavior research. The proposed questions and answers aim to provide insights into Occupant Behavior for current and future researchers, designers, and policy makers, and most importantly, to inspire innovative research and applications to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy use in buildings.
Da Yan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Occupant Behavior modeling methods for resilient building design operation and policy at urban scale a review
Applied Energy, 2021Co-Authors: Bing Dong, Hannah Fontenot, Yapan Liu, Mohamed M Ouf, Mohamed Osman, Adrian Chong, Shuxu Qin, Flora D Salim, Hao Xue, Da YanAbstract:Abstract Traditional Occupant Behavior modeling has been studied at the building level, and it has become an important factor in the investigation of building energy consumption. However, studies modeling Occupant Behaviors at the urban scale are still limited. Recent work has revealed that urban big data can enable Occupant Behavior modeling at the urban scale – however, utilizing the existing data sources and modeling methods in building science to model urban scale Occupant Behaviors can be quite challenging. Beyond building science, urban scale human Behaviors have been studied in several different domains using more advanced modeling methods, including Stochastic Modeling, Neural Networks, Reinforcement Learning, Network Modeling, etc. This paper aims to bridge the gap between data sources and modeling methodologies in building science by borrowing from other domains. Based on a comprehensive review, we 1) identify the modeling challenges of the current approaches in building science, 2) discuss the modeling requirements and data sources both in building science and other domains, 3) review the current modeling methods in building science and other domains, and 4) summarize available performance evaluation metrics for evaluating the modeling methods. Finally, we present future opportunities in building science with enhanced data sources and modeling methods from other domains.
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a novel mobility based approach to derive urban scale building Occupant profiles and analyze impacts on building energy consumption
Applied Energy, 2020Co-Authors: Bing Dong, Da Yan, Qi Wang, Meng Kong, Yapan LiuAbstract:Abstract In the US, people spend more than 90% of their time in buildings, which contributes to more than 70% of overall electricity usage in the country. Occupant Behavior is becoming a leading factor impacting energy consumption in buildings. Existing Occupant-Behavior studies are often limited to a single building and individual Behavior, such as presence or interactions in confined spaces. Moreover, studies modeling Occupant Behavior at the building or community level are limited. With the development of the Internet of Things, mobile positioning data are available through social media and location-based service applications. The goal of this study is to analyze the impacts of more representative occupancy profiles, derived from high resolution urban scale mobile position data, on building energy consumption. . A pilot study was conducted on more than 900 buildings in downtown San Antonio, Texas, with billions of mobile positioning data. We then compared these profiles with the existing Department of Energy prototype models and quantified the differences using a statistical method. On average, the differences in occupancy rates between the ones derived from the empirical profile and the ones from the Department of Energy reference ranged from −30% to 70%. The realistic derived profiles are then simulated in the CityBES. The results show that the predicted cooling energy demand is reduced by up to 40% while the heating energy demand is reduced by up to 60%. This study, therefore, advances knowledge of urban planning as well as urban-scale energy modeling and optimization.
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a systematic review of Occupant Behavior in building energy policy
Building and Environment, 2020Co-Authors: Da Yan, Elie Azar, Fei GuoAbstract:Abstract Buildings play a dominant role in global efforts towards energy consumption reduction, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission mitigation, as well as global clean energy transition. Building Energy Policies (BEP) improved globally and quickly with a growing number of building codes implemented over the past decade. Occupant Behavior (OB) has significant impacts on building energy performance and Occupant comfort, despite often being not well understood and oversimplified in BEPs. This paper highlighted the research needs of properly integrating OB in building energy polices by presenting a literature review to identify the key questions and challenges related to building technical standards and regulations, building information policies, building energy incentives, and policy evaluations and way forward. Challenges and opportunities of OB in BEP are also discussed with respect to technical innovation and digitalization, as well as concerns related to energy efficiency and fairness. There has been growing interests, research and applications in this field, but significant challenges and opportunities still lie ahead.
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development of a library for building surface layout simulator
The International Symposium on Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, 2019Co-Authors: Masab Khalid Annaqeeb, Da Yan, Jakub Dziedzic, Vojislav NovakovicAbstract:Available building simulation tools resort to using fixed schedules for modeling Occupant Behavior (OB), which does not accurately capture its nature. A significant aspect of OB is the movement and sequence of actions with regards to their surroundings. This requires some coherence about the surface layout, including the placement of furniture and the Occupant’s interaction with it. There is a need for understanding vital information about the different attributes of the furniture, such as the placement and order of importance. Until now, there exists no such library with this kind of granularity in information. This paper explores the questions with regard to the development of such a library. This includes the description of the type of variables associated with different kinds of furniture, along with the Occupant interaction under typical scenarios. The results from this study can be used to integrate the resulting library with building simulation tools and to better understand and develop Occupant Behavior models.
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the evaluation of stochastic Occupant Behavior models from an application oriented perspective using the lighting Behavior model as a case study
Energy and Buildings, 2018Co-Authors: Da Yan, Yuan Jin, Xiaohang Feng, Chuang WangAbstract:Abstract Numerous Occupant Behavior models, typically stochastic ones, have been built to quantify the effect of Occupants on building energy simulation, which however are supposed to go through a rigorous validation, or evaluation process to claim that they are qualified to be used in the application. Current contributions relevant with Occupant Behavior modeling in literature have been resorting to statistical metrics rather than those orienting on their application, causing the disputation in interpreting the accuracy of the Occupant Behavior models when they are actually used in simulation. Furthermore, the stochasticity of Occupant Behavior models necessitates statistical evaluation of the model accuracy, instead of the comparison between actual data and a single-run simulated data. This paper proposes a methodological framework for model evaluation from an application-oriented perspective, with lighting Behavior as a case study. The metrics for evaluating lighting Behavior models are identified according to different application scenarios, while the comparison between the measurement and simulation is done by introducing the statistical hypothesis testing. Analogous analyses on other Behaviors can be conducted in the future, which altogether would foster more rigor and application significance in Occupant Behavior model evaluation.
Simona Doca - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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iea ebc annex 66 definition and simulation of Occupant Behavior in buildings
Energy and Buildings, 2017Co-Authors: Da Yan, Bing Dong, Tianzhen Hong, Simona Doca, Ardeshir Mahdavi, Isabella Gaetani, Xiaohang FengAbstract:More than 30% of the total primary energy in the world is consumed in buildings. It is crucial to reduce building energy consumption in order to preserve energy resources and mitigate global climate change. Building performance simulations have been widely used for the estimation and optimization of building performance, providing reference values for the assessment of building energy consumption and the effects of energy-saving technologies. Among the various factors influencing building energy consumption, Occupant Behavior has drawn increasing attention. Occupant Behavior includes Occupant presence, movement, and interaction with building energy devices and systems. However, there are gaps in Occupant Behavior modeling as different energy modelers have employed varied data and tools to simulate Occupant Behavior, therefore producing different and incomparable results. Aiming to address these gaps, the International Energy Agency (IEA) Energy in Buildings and Community (EBC) Programme Annex 66 has established a scientific methodological framework for Occupant Behavior research, including data collection, Behavior model representation, modeling and evaluation approaches, and the integration of Behavior modeling tools with building performance simulation programs. Annex 66 also includes case studies and application guidelines to assist in building design, operation, and policymaking, using interdisciplinary approaches to reduce energy use in buildings and improve Occupant comfort and productivity. This paper highlights the key research issues, methods, and outcomes pertaining to Annex 66, and offers perspectives on future research needs to integrate Occupant Behavior with the building life cycle.
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ten questions concerning Occupant Behavior in buildings the big picture
Building and Environment, 2017Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong, Da Yan, Simona Doca, Chienfei ChenAbstract:Occupant Behavior has significant impacts on building energy performance and Occupant comfort. However, Occupant Behavior is not well understood and is often oversimplified in the building life cycle, due to its stochastic, diverse, complex, and interdisciplinary nature. The use of simplified methods or tools to quantify the impacts of Occupant Behavior in building performance simulations significantly contributes to performance gaps between simulated models and actual building energy consumption. Therefore, it is crucial to understand Occupant Behavior in a comprehensive way, integrating qualitative approaches and data- and model-driven quantitative approaches, and employing appropriate tools to guide the design and operation of low-energy residential and commercial buildings that integrate technological and human dimensions. This paper presents ten questions, highlighting some of the most important issues regarding concepts, applications, and methodologies in Occupant Behavior research. The proposed questions and answers aim to provide insights into Occupant Behavior for current and future researchers, designers, and policy makers, and most importantly, to inspire innovative research and applications to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy use in buildings.
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advances in research and applications of energy related Occupant Behavior in buildings
Energy and Buildings, 2016Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong, Da Yan, Sarah C Taylorlange, Simona Doca, Stefano Paolo CorgnatiAbstract:Abstract Occupant Behavior is one of the major factors influencing building energy consumption and contributing to uncertainty in building energy use prediction and simulation. Currently the understanding of Occupant Behavior is insufficient both in building design, operation and retrofit, leading to incorrect simplifications in modeling and analysis. This paper introduced the most recent advances and current obstacles in modeling Occupant Behavior and quantifying its impact on building energy use. The major themes include advancements in data collection techniques, analytical and modeling methods, and simulation applications which provide insights into Behavior energy savings potential and impact. There has been growing research and applications in this field, but significant challenges and opportunities still lie ahead.
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introduction to an Occupant Behavior motivation survey framework
12th Rehva World Congress - Clima 2016, 2016Co-Authors: Simona Doca, Stefano Paolo Corgnati, Anna Laura Pisello, Tianzhen HongAbstract:Author(s): D'Oca, Simona; Corgnati, Stefano; Pisello, Anna L; Hong, Tianzhen | Abstract: An increasing body of research is underlying the need to foster energy Behaviors and interaction with technology as a way to achieve energy savings in office buildings. However, engaging office users into more “forgiving” comfort-adaptive Behavior is not a trivial task, since neither consequences nor benefits for changing Behavior have visible or tangible effects on them personally. Since the 70’s, survey studies in the field of building science have been used to gain better understanding of multidisciplinary drivers of Occupant Behavior with respect to comfort and energy requirements in buildings. Rather than focusing on individual Behaviors – and influencing factors – purpose of this survey research is to provide quantitative descriptions on the collective and social motivations within the complexity of different social groups in working environment, under different geographical context, culture and norms. The resultant questionnaire survey emerges as a combination of traditional and adaptive comfort theories, merged with social science theory. The questionnaire explores to what extent the Occupant energy-related Behavior in working spaces is driven by a motivational sphere influenced by i) comfort requirements, ii) habits, iii) intentions and iv) actual control of building systems. The key elements of the proposed Occupant Behavior motivational framework are grounded on the Driver Need Action System framework for energy-related Behaviors in buildings. Goal of the study is to construct an additional layer of standardized knowledge to enrich the state-of-the-art on energy-related Behavior in office buildings
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an ontology to represent energy related Occupant Behavior in buildings part ii implementation of the dnas framework using an xml schema
Building and Environment, 2015Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong, Yixing Chen, Sarah C Taylorlange, Simona Doca, William J N Turner, Stefano Paolo CorgnatiAbstract:Energy-related Occupant Behavior in buildings is difficult to define and quantify, yet critical to our understanding of total building energy consumption. Part I of this two-part paper introduced the DNAS (Drivers, Needs, Actions and Systems) framework, to standardize the description of energy-related Occupant Behavior in buildings. Part II of this paper implements the DNAS framework into an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) schema, titled ‘Occupant Behavior XML’ (obXML). The obXML schema is used for the practical implementation of the DNAS framework into building simulation tools. The topology of the DNAS framework implemented in the obXML schema has a main root element OccupantBehavior, linking three main elements representing Buildings, Occupants and Behaviors. Using the schema structure, the actions of turning on an air conditioner and closing blinds provide two examples of how the schema standardizes these actions using XML. The obXML schema has inherent flexibility to represent numerous, diverse and complex types of Occupant Behaviors in buildings, and it can also be expanded to encompass new types of Behaviors. The implementation of the DNAS framework into the obXML schema will facilitate the development of Occupant information modeling (OIM) by providing interoperability between Occupant Behavior models and building energy modeling programs.
Stefano Paolo Corgnati - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Occupant Behavior lifestyles in a residential nearly zero energy building effect on energy use and thermal comfort
Science and Technology for the Built Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Verena Marie Barthelmes, Cristina Becchio, Stefano Paolo CorgnatiAbstract:Occupant Behavior is one of the most significant driving factors of uncertainty in the prediction of building energy use. Large performance gaps have been individuated between residential buildings with the same properties and similar climate conditions. Comfort criteria settings by the Occupants and their interaction with the envelope and the systems directly affect the operation of buildings and related energy uses. This study employs building simulations to demonstrate the potential impact of Occupant Behavior lifestyles and different household compositions on energy use and thermal comfort conditions in a residential nearly zero energy building under-construction. In detail, Occupant Behavior was classified into three lifestyles: low consumer, standard consumer, and high consumer. The analysis considered energy-related Behavioral patterns (regulation of heating and cooling set-points, energy use for equipment, lighting and domestic hot water, ventilation rates, regulation of window blinds) and highlig...
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advances in research and applications of energy related Occupant Behavior in buildings
Energy and Buildings, 2016Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong, Da Yan, Sarah C Taylorlange, Simona Doca, Stefano Paolo CorgnatiAbstract:Abstract Occupant Behavior is one of the major factors influencing building energy consumption and contributing to uncertainty in building energy use prediction and simulation. Currently the understanding of Occupant Behavior is insufficient both in building design, operation and retrofit, leading to incorrect simplifications in modeling and analysis. This paper introduced the most recent advances and current obstacles in modeling Occupant Behavior and quantifying its impact on building energy use. The major themes include advancements in data collection techniques, analytical and modeling methods, and simulation applications which provide insights into Behavior energy savings potential and impact. There has been growing research and applications in this field, but significant challenges and opportunities still lie ahead.
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introduction to an Occupant Behavior motivation survey framework
12th Rehva World Congress - Clima 2016, 2016Co-Authors: Simona Doca, Stefano Paolo Corgnati, Anna Laura Pisello, Tianzhen HongAbstract:Author(s): D'Oca, Simona; Corgnati, Stefano; Pisello, Anna L; Hong, Tianzhen | Abstract: An increasing body of research is underlying the need to foster energy Behaviors and interaction with technology as a way to achieve energy savings in office buildings. However, engaging office users into more “forgiving” comfort-adaptive Behavior is not a trivial task, since neither consequences nor benefits for changing Behavior have visible or tangible effects on them personally. Since the 70’s, survey studies in the field of building science have been used to gain better understanding of multidisciplinary drivers of Occupant Behavior with respect to comfort and energy requirements in buildings. Rather than focusing on individual Behaviors – and influencing factors – purpose of this survey research is to provide quantitative descriptions on the collective and social motivations within the complexity of different social groups in working environment, under different geographical context, culture and norms. The resultant questionnaire survey emerges as a combination of traditional and adaptive comfort theories, merged with social science theory. The questionnaire explores to what extent the Occupant energy-related Behavior in working spaces is driven by a motivational sphere influenced by i) comfort requirements, ii) habits, iii) intentions and iv) actual control of building systems. The key elements of the proposed Occupant Behavior motivational framework are grounded on the Driver Need Action System framework for energy-related Behaviors in buildings. Goal of the study is to construct an additional layer of standardized knowledge to enrich the state-of-the-art on energy-related Behavior in office buildings
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an ontology to represent energy related Occupant Behavior in buildings part ii implementation of the dnas framework using an xml schema
Building and Environment, 2015Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong, Yixing Chen, Sarah C Taylorlange, Simona Doca, William J N Turner, Stefano Paolo CorgnatiAbstract:Energy-related Occupant Behavior in buildings is difficult to define and quantify, yet critical to our understanding of total building energy consumption. Part I of this two-part paper introduced the DNAS (Drivers, Needs, Actions and Systems) framework, to standardize the description of energy-related Occupant Behavior in buildings. Part II of this paper implements the DNAS framework into an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) schema, titled ‘Occupant Behavior XML’ (obXML). The obXML schema is used for the practical implementation of the DNAS framework into building simulation tools. The topology of the DNAS framework implemented in the obXML schema has a main root element OccupantBehavior, linking three main elements representing Buildings, Occupants and Behaviors. Using the schema structure, the actions of turning on an air conditioner and closing blinds provide two examples of how the schema standardizes these actions using XML. The obXML schema has inherent flexibility to represent numerous, diverse and complex types of Occupant Behaviors in buildings, and it can also be expanded to encompass new types of Behaviors. The implementation of the DNAS framework into the obXML schema will facilitate the development of Occupant information modeling (OIM) by providing interoperability between Occupant Behavior models and building energy modeling programs.
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data mining of Occupant Behavior in office buildings
Energy Procedia, 2015Co-Authors: Stefano Paolo Corgnati, Simona Doca, Tianzhen HongAbstract:Abstract Literature studies confirm Occupant Behavior is setting the direction for contemporary researches aiming to bridge the gap between predicted and actual energy performance of sustainable buildings. Using the Knowledge Discovery in Database (KDD) methodology, two data mining learning processes are proposed to extrapolate office occupancy and windows’ operation Behavioral patterns from a two-years data set of 16 offices in a natural ventilated office building. Clustering procedures, decision tree models and rule induction algorithms are employed to obtain association rules segmenting the building Occupants into working user profiles, which can be further implemented as Occupant Behavior advanced-inputs into building energy simulations.
Sarah C Taylorlange - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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an Occupant Behavior modeling tool for co simulation
Energy and Buildings, 2016Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong, Hongsan Sun, Yixing Chen, Sarah C Taylorlange, Da YanAbstract:Abstract Traditionally, in building energy modeling (BEM) programs, Occupant Behavior (OB) inputs are deterministic and less indicative of real world scenarios, contributing to discrepancies between simulated and actual energy use in buildings. This paper presents a new OB modeling tool, with an Occupant Behavior functional mock-up unit (obFMU) that enables co-simulation with BEM programs implementing functional mock-up interface (FMI). The components detailed in the development of the obFMU include an overview of the DNAS (drivers-needs-actions-systems) ontology and the Occupant Behavior eXtensible Markup Language (obXML) schema, in addition to details on the creation of the obFMU that contains the co-simulation interface, the data model and solvers. To demonstrate functionality of the tool, three examples of Occupant Behaviors were simulated, including: (1) turning on and off lights, (2) opening and closing windows, and (3) turning on and off the air conditioners. The obFMU can be used via co-simulation with all building simulation programs that implement the FMI, thus users are not limited to a particular tool. Another advantage is the use of obXML schema to represent Occupant Behavior, standardize the description of Occupant Behavior enabling information exchange.
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advances in research and applications of energy related Occupant Behavior in buildings
Energy and Buildings, 2016Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong, Da Yan, Sarah C Taylorlange, Simona Doca, Stefano Paolo CorgnatiAbstract:Abstract Occupant Behavior is one of the major factors influencing building energy consumption and contributing to uncertainty in building energy use prediction and simulation. Currently the understanding of Occupant Behavior is insufficient both in building design, operation and retrofit, leading to incorrect simplifications in modeling and analysis. This paper introduced the most recent advances and current obstacles in modeling Occupant Behavior and quantifying its impact on building energy use. The major themes include advancements in data collection techniques, analytical and modeling methods, and simulation applications which provide insights into Behavior energy savings potential and impact. There has been growing research and applications in this field, but significant challenges and opportunities still lie ahead.
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an ontology to represent energy related Occupant Behavior in buildings part ii implementation of the dnas framework using an xml schema
Building and Environment, 2015Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong, Yixing Chen, Sarah C Taylorlange, Simona Doca, William J N Turner, Stefano Paolo CorgnatiAbstract:Energy-related Occupant Behavior in buildings is difficult to define and quantify, yet critical to our understanding of total building energy consumption. Part I of this two-part paper introduced the DNAS (Drivers, Needs, Actions and Systems) framework, to standardize the description of energy-related Occupant Behavior in buildings. Part II of this paper implements the DNAS framework into an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) schema, titled ‘Occupant Behavior XML’ (obXML). The obXML schema is used for the practical implementation of the DNAS framework into building simulation tools. The topology of the DNAS framework implemented in the obXML schema has a main root element OccupantBehavior, linking three main elements representing Buildings, Occupants and Behaviors. Using the schema structure, the actions of turning on an air conditioner and closing blinds provide two examples of how the schema standardizes these actions using XML. The obXML schema has inherent flexibility to represent numerous, diverse and complex types of Occupant Behaviors in buildings, and it can also be expanded to encompass new types of Behaviors. The implementation of the DNAS framework into the obXML schema will facilitate the development of Occupant information modeling (OIM) by providing interoperability between Occupant Behavior models and building energy modeling programs.
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an ontology to represent energy related Occupant Behavior in buildings part i introduction to the dnas framework
Building and Environment, 2015Co-Authors: Tianzhen Hong, Simona Doca, William J N Turner, Sarah C TaylorlangeAbstract:Abstract Reducing energy consumption in the buildings sector requires significant changes, but technology alone may fail to guarantee efficient energy performance. Human Behavior plays a pivotal role in building design, operation, management and retrofit, and is a crucial positive factor for improving the indoor environment, while reducing energy use at low cost. Over the past 40 years, a substantial body of literature has explored the impacts of human Behavior on building technologies and operation. Often, need-action-event cognitive theoretical frameworks were used to represent human-machine interactions. In Part I of this paper, a review of more than 130 published Behavioral studies and frameworks was conducted. A large variety of data-driven Behavioral models have been developed based on field monitoring of the human-building-system interaction. Studies have emerged scattered geographically around the world that lack in standardization and consistency, thus leading to difficulties when comparing one with another. To address this problem, an ontology to represent energy-related Occupant Behavior in buildings is presented. Accordingly, the technical DNAs framework is developed based on four key components: i) the Drivers of Behavior, ii) the Needs of the Occupants, iii) the Actions carried out by the Occupants, and iv) the building systems acted upon by the Occupants. This DNAs framework is envisioned to support the international research community to standardize a systematic representation of energy-related Occupant Behavior in buildings. Part II of this paper further develops the DNAs framework as an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) schema, obXML, for exchange of Occupant information modeling and integration with building simulation tools.
