Advanced Building Simulation

206 Augenbroe
Design information
Structured simulation models
Analysis scenarios
Software applications and tools
Figure 8.12 Four-layered workbench to support design analysis dialogues.
design information in partly structured and partly unstructured format. The
Building Model layer contains semantic product models of varying granularity that
can be used for specific analysis and engineering domains or specific performance
aspects. The scenario layer captures the process logic (workflow), allowing to plan
a process as well as to actually “enact” that process. These functions are offered by
current mainstream workflow design and workflow enactment applications. The
bottom layer contains software applications (mainly building performance simulation
tools) that can be accessed from the scenario layer to perform a specific analysis.
Analysis functions, rather than specific software applications are called,
removing the dependency of the workbench on particular simulation software packages.
This concept is fundamental to the workbench. It is based on the introduction
of a set of predefined “analysis functions”. Analysis functions act as the smallest
functional simulation steps in the definition of analysis scenarios. Each analysis
function is defined for a specific performance aspect, a specific building (sub)system
and a specific measure of performance. An analysis function acts as a scoping
mechanism for the information exchange between design information layer, model
layer, and application layer.
The following is fundamental to the intended use of the workbench:
● The workbench is process-centric, this allows for explicit definition, management,
and execution of analysis scenarios. These scenarios will typically be configured
by the project manager at start-up of a new consulting job. The fact that
a job can be explicitly managed and recorded offers an additional set of functions
for the architectural and engineering office. Audit trails of a building analysis job
can be stored and previous scenarios can be reused in new projects. This can
potentially provide a learning instrument for novices in simulation. In-house
office procedures and scenarios can be stored for better quality assurance.
● Expert knowledge and expertise are essential elements of performance assessment.
Judgment of the applicability of performance assessment methods and
evaluation of the validity of results obtained with (computational) tools are
essential human skills that the workbench recognizes.