Advanced Building Simulation

Developments in interoperability 211
The AF Models are translated into XML schemas in order to be machine readable.
Each AF in fact represents a minimal “product model” and a (small) subschema of
the kind presented in Section 8.2.3. In this case the subschema does not represent the
input model of a simulation tool, but the combination of input and output of a particular
analysis function irrespective of the simulation tool that will perform it.
Typically the AF schema is much smaller than the subschema of the complete input
and/or output model. The other difference is that AF schemas are not defined as
“parts” of a bigger Building Model (as in Section 8.2.3) but as bottom-up defined
schemas that define a modular and tool independent analysis step, which recurs
routinely in design analysis scenarios.
At run time an AF model needs to be populated through data interfaces that “pull”
data from the models that reside in the building analysis model layer. The pull
approach allows for a directed search of relevant information that resides on the
upper layers of the workbench. Whenever building information is present in structured
format, the data exchange from upper layer to the AF Model can be automated.
However, the AF Model population interface may signal missing information and
trigger manual input by the simulation expert. Since the AF Model only describes the
elements that are critical for a small performance analysis, both the automatic part of
the interface as well as the user guided constructive part represent small and manageable
programming efforts for the developers. They will benefit greatly from
emerging XML-based graphical (declarative) mapping languages. Each AF drives the
connection and data exchange with the neighboring workbench layers. The principle
of the approach is shown in Figure 8.16.
Design info
layer
Building analyis
model layer
Analysis scenario
layer
Tool layer
structured Ideas un-structured
database
WFM
radiance
esp-r
CAD
XMLschema
XMLdocument
energy+
Figure 8.16 Analysis function as central driver in the data exchange topology.
Post-it memos
Aspect model
IAI-IFC, Combine
select:
AF1
AF2
AF3
AF4