- Environment
- Simulation
- Building Performance
Environmental Performance Simulation
Study Location: Pittsburgh, PA
48733: Environmental PerformanceSimulation
Architecture Department
Carnegie Mellon University – Pittsburgh
Fall 2021
Solar Radiation
The overall objective of the group study was to systematically apply a range of analytical methods for the quantification of solar radiation effects on the exterior building surfaces and ground planes on a selected project site.
Individual study focus:
• To be able to extract numeric climatic data (for key parameters of temperature, humidity, wind and solar radiation, etc.) from standardized weather data files and transform the necessary data into design support information through weather data analyses supplemented with enhanced
data visualization techniques for insightful interpretations and communications.
• To be able to analyze and locate an optimal position on the building exterior to place a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel. Assuming the solar PV panel will be a fixed device (i.e., no motorized sun tracking functionality), best azimuth (HRA – Horizontal Rotation Angle) and vertical/tilt (VRA – Vertical Rotation Angle) was calculated. Also, the maximum (cumulative) annual global solar radiation intensity at this optimal position (kWh/m2) was calculated.
Visible Radiation (Daylighting)
The overall objective of the group study was to develop an advanced understanding of the interactive effects of building design (geometric and material surface properties) and local climate on the indoor daylighting performance for improved visual acuity, visual comfort, and lighting energy efficiency (with minimized reliance on electrical lighting systems).
Individual study focus:
• To perform annual climate-based dynamic daylighting performance simulations on an analysis grid located in the unit space. To calculate the following key climate-based daylight availability performance indices:
sDA300lux-50% (Spatial Daylighting Autonomy) [%]
ASE1000lux-250hrs (Annual Sunlight Exposure) [%]
LEED v4.1 credits earned [#]
Mean Illuminance [Lux]
Thermal Radiation
The overall objective of the group study was to gain interactive experience of creating and using “spatial comfort analysis” used for quantification and graphical representation of occupants’ thermal comfort at indoor building spaces.
Individual study focus:
• To generate simulation results of monthly heating and cooling energy consumption of all Thermal Zones in your building case model
(Joule-to-kWh).
• To map cumulative and annual heating and cooling loads onto the thermal zone geometries for enhanced thermal performance visualizations.
• To generate simulation results of whole-building standard energy analysis to evaluate the predicted environmental and financial impacts of your building model on an annual basis.
