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BIM to BEM: Development of integrated workflow from Archicad to Energy Evaluation

Tkeshelashvili, Mariami LU (2021) AEBM01 20211
Division of Energy and Building Design
Department of Architecture and Built Environment
Abstract
Buildings are one of the main contributors to climate change as they consume a significant part of the total energy produced. The reduction of the energy consumption and carbon emissions of the buildings is vitally important for our environment. Building performance simulations (BPS) play an important role when it comes to energy-efficient building design. There are various BPS tools on the market today, and they are used for building design optimization at all stages of the design process. The most energy savings can be achieved during the preliminary design phase. Energy performance simulations can often be ignored during this phase for several reasons such as insufficient knowledge of simulation know-how, absence of detailed pieces of... (More)
Buildings are one of the main contributors to climate change as they consume a significant part of the total energy produced. The reduction of the energy consumption and carbon emissions of the buildings is vitally important for our environment. Building performance simulations (BPS) play an important role when it comes to energy-efficient building design. There are various BPS tools on the market today, and they are used for building design optimization at all stages of the design process. The most energy savings can be achieved during the preliminary design phase. Energy performance simulations can often be ignored during this phase for several reasons such as insufficient knowledge of simulation know-how, absence of detailed pieces of information about the loads and HVAC systems and interoperability challenges, which emerge during Building Information Modelling (BIM) to Building Energy Modeling (BEM) integration. Nowadays, interoperability between BIM and BPS tools is characterized by data clashes and losses during translation. In these circumstances, the given study analyzes current interoperability challenges by evaluating the shortcomings of the translation process using three typical BIM to BEM workflows. Workflows include one BIM and three different BPS tools and evaluations are based on three case studies. The results show that a promising solution to current BIM to BEM challenges can be the development of the BIM-integrated BEM tools, which today are often underrated due to their simplicity and limits. (Less)
Popular Abstract
The consequences of the accelerated climate change forced a radical rethinking of building construction techniques and the need for energy efficiency. Designing energy-efficient buildings can decrease their energy consumption up to 80%. Building performance simulations (BPS) play a significant role when it comes to designing energy-efficient buildings. Most of the energy can be saved during the initial phase of the design. The early design optimization can often be missed due to various reasons such as low collaboration, inappropriate simulation tools, interoperability challenges between Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Building Energy Modelling), lack of accurate data, etc. This study evaluated three different BPS tools based on... (More)
The consequences of the accelerated climate change forced a radical rethinking of building construction techniques and the need for energy efficiency. Designing energy-efficient buildings can decrease their energy consumption up to 80%. Building performance simulations (BPS) play a significant role when it comes to designing energy-efficient buildings. Most of the energy can be saved during the initial phase of the design. The early design optimization can often be missed due to various reasons such as low collaboration, inappropriate simulation tools, interoperability challenges between Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Building Energy Modelling), lack of accurate data, etc. This study evaluated three different BPS tools based on the three case studies, starting from the simple shoebox and more complex public and residential BIM models. Results show that BIM-integrated BEM tools, such as Energy Evaluation, can perform as good as other, more complex and widespread methods.

Today, BIM can be defined as a process of creating an intelligent three-dimensional building model that enables stakeholders to manage and coordinate the whole life cycle of the building, from concept design to construction, operation, and maintenance. Even though BIM includes almost all the necessary information for energy simulations, an additional tool for building energy assessment is needed.

BEM can be described as an application of computer-based simulation software in order to perform a detailed energy assessment of the building and its systems. BEM tools typically consist of two units: a graphical user interface (GUI) and a simulation engine. GUI provides a graphical interface for users to input information. The second component, the simulation engine, works behind and provides results based on input from GUI. The mapping between GUI and the simulation engine can also be described as a model integration process. There are three types of model integration: combined, central and distributed. The combined method considers a software package that enables design and BPS simultaneously. Central model integration refers to a method where BIM to BEM translation happens with the help of the exported file that acts as a medium between them. Eventually, distributed model integration refers to a method where BIM to BEM translation happens with additional middleware software.

One BIM – Archicad and three different BPS tools: Energy Evaluation, Cove.tool and Climate Studio were selected for the study. Three case studies: simple shoebox, the wedding venue and residential building were introduced for BPS tools assessment. One, the Toronto weather file was used for all of the performed simulations.

In conclusion, all of the evaluated workflows showed a different level of interoperability and their energy output was different from each other even though all the inputs were similar. The differences in the outcomes were reported during all stages of the evaluation, including climate and geometry assessment and energy calculations. In reality, each BPS tool has its simulation engine and is based on different calculation methods. Therefore, results varied from one platform to another.

Based on the overall performance, BIM to BEM translation efficiency, simulation time, flexibility and simplicity, Energy Evaluation can be identified as the most appropriate BPS tool for the early-stage design evaluations compared to the other two workflows. As a combined method of model integration, EE has its limits, which can be seen in both simulation input and output. However, these limitations can be acceptable in the early stage of design. It might not meet the requirements for the final stage simulations when more accurate information is needed for HVAC system sizing.

Only a few studies are conducted with a combined method for BIM to BEM integration. Based on the results, the combined model integration method can be as reliable as others. Therefore, more studies are necessary to popularize and develop this kind of workflow, which would help architects perform quick energy simulations by themselves at any stage of the design process. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Tkeshelashvili, Mariami LU
supervisor
organization
course
AEBM01 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Building Information Modelling, Building Energy Modelling, interoperability, performance-based design, early design optimization, BIM, BEM
language
English
id
9053944
date added to LUP
2021-06-14 12:16:02
date last changed
2021-06-14 12:16:02
@misc{9053944,
  abstract     = {{Buildings are one of the main contributors to climate change as they consume a significant part of the total energy produced. The reduction of the energy consumption and carbon emissions of the buildings is vitally important for our environment. Building performance simulations (BPS) play an important role when it comes to energy-efficient building design. There are various BPS tools on the market today, and they are used for building design optimization at all stages of the design process. The most energy savings can be achieved during the preliminary design phase. Energy performance simulations can often be ignored during this phase for several reasons such as insufficient knowledge of simulation know-how, absence of detailed pieces of information about the loads and HVAC systems and interoperability challenges, which emerge during Building Information Modelling (BIM) to Building Energy Modeling (BEM) integration. Nowadays, interoperability between BIM and BPS tools is characterized by data clashes and losses during translation. In these circumstances, the given study analyzes current interoperability challenges by evaluating the shortcomings of the translation process using three typical BIM to BEM workflows. Workflows include one BIM and three different BPS tools and evaluations are based on three case studies. The results show that a promising solution to current BIM to BEM challenges can be the development of the BIM-integrated BEM tools, which today are often underrated due to their simplicity and limits.}},
  author       = {{Tkeshelashvili, Mariami}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{BIM to BEM: Development of integrated workflow from Archicad to Energy Evaluation}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}