Parametric modeling–based BIM for evaluating thermal performance of building envelope with real-time energy feedback visualization

Selecting an optimal construction assembly of a particular building envelope material has been considered as a key parameter for improving the thermal performance of building envelopes. Computational modeling and energy... [ view full abstract ]

Selecting an optimal construction assembly of a particular building envelope material has been considered as a key parameter for improving the thermal performance of building envelopes. Computational modeling and energy simulation engines have been widely used as tools to support design decision makers in order to satisfy the requirements of building codes/standards worldwide (e.g., ASHRAE 90.1) and green building rating systems (e.g., LEED) with regard to the thermal performance of envelopes. Although the association between parametric design tools and Building Information Modeling (BIM) has become a common tool for improving the building performance during the design stage, these tools lack the capabilities to determine and measure the overall thermal characteristics of the construction materials of building envelopes, which has a strong influence on the energy performance. Herein, parametric-modeling-based BIM for evaluating thermal performance of building envelope has been proposed to facilitate the selection of the envelope material. This study proposes to use graphical visual programming interface that allows customizing and adjusting an individual material’s thermal property and the physical property of the building envelope in order to comply with the requirement of ASHRAE 90.1 regarding the measurement of the thermal performance of building envelopes. The proposed developed visual scripting also provides an ability to transfer the final design parameters from the parametric design tool into BIM authoring software. The results of the case study verified that the developed system can predetermine and customize the parameters of envelope elements (e.g., wall mass, thickness, and thermal properties) through the developed GUI and visual scripting. The developed system provides energy consumption visualization simultaneously considering the energy use intensity indicator, which is influenced by different combinations of building envelope assemblies. The tool also facilitates the design stakeholders to select an appropriate building envelope construction in order to achieve a high level of energy efficiency.