Streamlined CFD Simulation Framework to Generate Wind-Pressure Coefficients on Building Facades for Airflow Network Simulations

Energy modeling packages such as EnergyPlus and TRNSYS come with capable airflow network solvers for natural ventilation evaluation in multi-zone building energy models. These approaches rely on pressure coefficient arrays of different wind directions based on simple boxshaped buildings without contextual obstructions. For specific sites, however, further attention is needed to avoid geometric oversimplification. In this study, we present an automated and easy-to-use simulation workflow for exterior airflow simulation based on OpenFOAM to generate pressure coefficient arrays for arbitrary building shapes and contextual situations. The workflow is compared to other methods commonly used to obtain pressure coefficients for natural ventilation simulation

The optimization potential of floor-plan typologies in early design energy modeling

Based on a consensus in the field that energy modeling should be applied as early as possible in the design process to maximize its impact on important design decisions, multi-zone thermal simulations are now used with increasing frequency in the earliest design stages. In the massing model phase, when the interior subdivision of a building is yet unknown, zoning standards such as ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G assist modelers by prescribing a subdivision scheme with core and consistently deep perimeter regions along the facade. This scheme, however, hardly ever resembles actual interior space subdivisions and thus raises the question of accuracy and usefulness of such simulations. This manuscript hence analyzes the significance of interior subdivisions on simulation results by thoroughly comparing the energy use intensity [EUI] levels for a representative set of floorplans against the ASHRAE-prescribed zoning scheme. A sample set of 1200 simulations reveal a RMSE of 15% for total EUI but also RMSE of 175% and 105% for predicted heating and cooling loads are reported. This suggests that the ASHRAE zoning scheme has only limited applicability for early design energy optimization

A tangible interface for collaborative urban design for energy efficiency, daylighting, and walkability

An increasingly urbanizing human population presents new challenges for urban planners and designers. While the applicability of urban design tools for simulation experts is constantly improving, urban development scenarios require the input of multiple stakeholders, each with different outlooks, expertise, requirements, and preconceptions, and good urban design requires communication and compromise as much as it requires effective use of tools. The best tools will facilitate this communication while remaining evidence-based, allowing diverse planning teams to develop high quality, healthy, sustainable urban proposals. Presented in this paper is a new such tool, implemented as a tangible user interface, that allows varied stakeholders to quickly collaborate on creation and exploration of new urban design solutions. The tool provides performance feedback for a neighborhood’s operational energy costs, daylight availability, and walkability. Fast interaction is attained through a novel precalculation method that is also presented and validated. Details of the tool’s deployment as part of a case study that was conducted with members of the planning commission of Riyadh, SA, in March 2015 are given

TOWARDS STANDARIZED BUILDING PROPERTIES TEMPLATE FILES FOR EARLY DESIGN ENERGY MODEL GENERATION

ABSTRAC

New Tools for Augmented Intelligence in Design

Abstract Climate change and urbanization require us to rapidly rethink our built environment and the process we use to design it. This talk explores the need for new tools that enable modes of data-driven discovery that will address fundamental questions at the frontiers of science, engineering, architecture, and urban design and covers new tools for augmented intelligence in design that explore the integration of complex phenomena related to sustainability in architecture and urban design (buildings, public space, mobility systems), human wellbeing and comfort and quality of space, during the design process

Mobility-Aware Integrated Urban Design

Project DescriptionRapid urbanization, with new construction estimated to be 250 times NYC by 2050, is increasing traffic congestion, pollution and related health threats. This is a worrisome development but also a unique opportunity to improve urban mobility and quality of life. Understanding consequences of urban design choices on mobility, sustainability, and health is a necessity and requires development of a framework that enables such co-design processes. We propose a new design-toolkit to incorporate mobility, sustainability, health, and thermal comfort metrics into urban design projects. Process accuracy and impact is validated in collaboration with leading design practitioners and the NYC Planning Department.U.S. Department of Transportation 69A355174711

Sustainable and Healthy Communities through Integrating Mobility Simulations in the Urban Design Process

Project DescriptionA design focused active mobility simulation tool called Urbano.io that facilitates the design of healthy and sustainable urban habitats was developed and validated. This project added the ability to 1) adapt statistical and behavioral models from the transportation literature to incorporate street quality and thermal comfort-aware active mobility mode choices over others, and 2) validate the new behavioral models with urban data from NYC. More specifically, an hourly outdoor comfort map for NYC was created that was correlated with CitiBike usage and pedestrian count data to investigate the link of urban form, microclimate, and life in the streets. In addition, the most requested features from the community to remove a number of limitations that were revealed during intensive use in practice, online workshops, and conference calls with practitioners and researchers over the last four months were implemented. Key limitations that were addressed were: 1) accelerated algorithms and data structures to speed up analysis to allow larger analysis domains, 2) support for multimodal trips and other travel modes (such as biking, transit, and shared mobility), 3) support for customizable choice models to determine which modes would be used for different mobility needs, and 4) 3D terrain support to accurately model effort of sloped pathways.U.S. Department of Transportation 69A355174711

Mobility-Aware Integrated Urban Design

Final ReportRapid urbanization, with new construction estimated to be 250 times NYC by 2050, is increasing traffic congestion, pollution and related health threats. This is a worrisome development but also a unique opportunity to improve urban mobility and quality of life. Understanding consequences of urban design choices on mobility, sustainability, and health is a necessity and requires development of a framework that enables such co-design processes. We propose a new design-toolkit to incorporate mobility, sustainability, health, and thermal comfort metrics into urban design projects. Process accuracy and impact is validated in collaboration with leading design practitioners and the NYC Planning Department.U.S. Department of Transportation 69A355174711