A BIM-based Methodology for Implementing WELL Standard on Human Health and Comfort Analysis and Rating

In the architecture, engineering, construction and facility management (AEC/FM) industry, there is a high level of demand for study on human comfort management because human comfort is essential for the health and... [ view full abstract ]

In the architecture, engineering, construction and facility management (AEC/FM) industry, there is a high level of demand for study on human comfort management because human comfort is essential for the health and productivity of occupants. Building information modeling (BIM) technology is regarded as an efficient means for helping facility managers to capture complete information from the design and construction phases and deliver them to the operation phase. On the other hand, the WELL building standard is a performance-based system for measuring, certifying and monitoring features of the built environment that impacts human health and wellbeing. Facility managers can make best use of the available BIM data and condition data of building environment to assess the human comfort level in a specific building. However, there is a lack in research about leveraging BIM technology for human comfort management using the WELL building standard.

Therefore, this study explored and illustrated the potential of using BIM in human comfort analysis, and it proposed a BIM-based methodology framework for human comfort analysis and WELL certification rating. In this paper, according to the specific features of the WELL standard, the corresponding parameters from BIM models are identified and new parameters are created for rating analysis. Then the relationship between WELL standard and BIM-based software is developed. Detailed procedures of conducting and testing a BIM-based human comfort analysis are described. The proposed methodology framework is then verified using an illustrative example with three scenarios in different ventilation conditions. The simulation result is satisfactory when comparing with the condition data of building environment from sensors. The result indicates the proposed framework and rating analysis process could streamline the process of assessing the WELL certification for human comfort management and save considerable time and resources.

Keywords: Building Information Modeling, Human Comfort Management, WELL Standard, Rating Analysis