Advanced Building Simulation

Prologue 3
two topics that represent recent additions to this field of investigation: Chapter 2
concentrates on assessing the effect of model uncertainty whereas Chapter 3 concentrates
on the effect of uncertain weather information. Chapter 2 illustrates that simulation
accuracy is influenced by various factors that range from user interpretations and
interventions to variations in simulation variables and behavioral uncertainties and validations.
It discusses the main principles of uncertainty analysis and describes how
uncertainty can be incorporated in building simulation through a case study. Chapter 3
discusses one particular form of uncertainty in building simulation, weather prediction.
After describing some of the background to weather modeling and the Monte Carlo
method, the chapter describes the two essential models for generating hourly weather
data—deterministic models and stochastic models.
Chapters 4, 5, and 6 address the second topic in the book, the integration and coupling
of air and heat flow. Each chapter offers a unique view on the attempt to increase
overall simulation “quality”. All three chapters deal with the application of
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to the built environment, a sub-field of
Building Simulation that is rapidly gaining acceptance. The chapters discuss variants
of air flow models, their current limitations and new trends. Chapter 4 focuses on the
coupling between domain-specific models and discusses computational approaches
to realize efficient simulation. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the
different levels of air flow modeling. Numerical solutions for integrating these
approaches in building models are also discussed. Several case studies are illustrated
to demonstrate the various approaches discussed in the chapter. Chapter 5 provides
a review of widely used CFD models and reflects on their use. It points out modeling,
validation and confidence challenges that CFD is facing. Chapter 6 on the other hand,
provides a new perspective on the potential conflicts between CFD and building
system modeling. It addresses the differences between building system modeling
and phenomenological modeling. Cases from other fields and industries are used to
illustrate how phenomenological studies can reveal unrecognized behaviors and
potentially lead to unprecedented technological responses.
Chapters 7, 8, and 9 address new paradigms that have emerged. The three chapters
each introduce a research field that may affect the deployment of simulation and
address its impact on design and building services practices. Chapter 7 illustrates the
concept of self-aware buildings and discusses how self-organizing buildings support
simulation based control strategies. Case studies are provided to illustrate these concepts.
Trends in process-driven interoperability are discussed in Chapter 8. The chapter
provides an overview of the technologies utilized in the field to achieve interoperability.
It illustrates existing approaches to develop integrated systems and focuses on a new
initiative in design analysis integration that combines interoperability and groupware
technologies.
Chapter 9 finally introduces new means of how users will interact with simulations
in the future. The chapter introduces a newly defined area, which the author termed
“immersive building simulation”. The chapter defines the emerging area and
describes its essential components, different techniques and their applications. It concludes
with illustrative case studies and reflections remarks regarding the challenges
and opportunities of this area. The three chapters are good examples of how simulation
of the built environment will become ubiquitous, invisible, and omni-present.