English

This paper presents the concept of a tool adapted to zonal models and devoted to the simulation of thermal dynamic phenomena in buildings. The aim of this tool is the automatic generation of zonal models requiring the minimum user's expertise. The proposed tool uses a database to deduce the behavior of flows and thermal transfers.

Advanced packages for building energy analysis require simplified methods to reduce the computational time in assessing the indoor visual environment. The paper develops and compares some simplified calculation procedures for a quick assessment of the minimum indoor natural illuminance on the working plane in office spaces when external shadings and light control systems are used.

We introduce a representation framework that is aimed at supporting performance analysis during schematic and detailed design. The framework is based on two distinct representations as well as automated, bidirectional mappings to maintain consistency. Schematic building configurations are defined in a sheet representation, and may be expanded into a solid representation, where outlines of building and space enclosures may be further decomposed into construction layers or components.

Environmental design of buildings involves ‘finding the optimum’ solution satisfying predefined objective(s) (e.g., reduction in operating/capital cost, maximisation of daylighting etc.). A number of computer based simulation models exist to assist professionals in finding this optimum through building performance assessment. Contemporary practices involving building simulation require enormous effort to prepare input, extract output, and visualize data, which restricts designers from realizing the full potentials offered.

Daylight design for “extremely” obstructed urban environment is a relatively uncharted area of study. No city in the world has an urban density as high as Hong Kong. Designing daylight in the territory is a critical and important study. The paper attempts to develop and verify a simple method of design for architects based on theoretical formulation and results obtained using computational simulations. The Unobstructed Vision Area Method (UVA) proposed here is highly correlated to the Vertical Daylight Factor (VDF) of a building surface.

In the mid 1980s the monolithic nature of building energy simulation programs led to proposals for development of so-called "kernel systems," i.e., software environments that would make available to developers basic software modules and a supporting framework that could be used to construct new building simulation software. One of the outcomes of the ensuing work was the Simulation Problem Analysis and Research Kernel (SPARK).

Simulation exercises covering long periods (e.g.. annual simulations) can produce large quantities of data. The result data set is often primarily used to determine key performance parameters such as the frequency binning of internal temperatures. Efforts to obtain an understanding for reasons behind the predicted building performance are often only carried out to a limited extent and simulation is therefore not used to its full potential.

The objective of this paper is to present an analysis of the weather data contained in a Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) and observe the effect of these data on the simulated load of a typical building. The weather data, contained in the TMY, are analysed with respect to the global and diffuse radiation falling on surfaces facing the four orientations, ambient temperature, wind speed and direction, and humidity ratio.

Agency Annex 35 “Hybrid Ventilation in New and Retrofitted Office Buildings”. It consisted in modeling a typical classroom and in predicting performance of a hybrid ventilation system compared to two traditional mechanical systems: a mechanical exhaust ventilation system and a balanced ventilation system. The hybrid system considered here was a fan assisted natural ventilation with a temperature and CO2 based control strategy.

A simulation methodology has been created for establishing the impact of increasing the insulation of the building envelope upon its global thermal performance and annual energy consumption (heating plus cooling). A particular emphasis is placed upon the consequences in terms of increased temperatures in summer leading to needs for installation of airconditioning. This will provide an important input for the revision of the Portuguese thermal regulations for buildings.