Automated Translation and Thermal Zoning of Digital Building Models for Energy Analysis
- Cornell University
Building energy simulation is valuable during the early stages of design, when decisions can have the greatest impact on energy performance. However, preparing digital design models for building energy simulation typically requires tedious manual alteration. This paper describes a series of five automated steps to translate geometric data from an unzoned CAD model into a multi-zone building energy model. First, CAD input is interpreted as geometric surfaces with materials. Second, surface pairs defining walls of various thicknesses are identified. Third, normal directions of unpaired surfaces are determined. Fourth, space boundaries are defined. Fifth, optionally, settings from previous simulations are applied, and spaces are aggregated into a smaller number of thermal zones. Building energy models created quickly using this method can offer guidance throughout the design process.
- Research Organization:
- Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Energy Technology Lab; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office
- Contributing Organization:
- Program of Computer Graphics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- DOE Contract Number:
- EE0003921
- OSTI ID:
- 1089753
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/EE0003921-11
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 13th International Conference of the International Building Performance Simulation Association
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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