Building energy efficiency is progressively becoming a crucial topic in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector. Energy management tools have been developed to promise appropriate energy savings. Building energy simulation (BES) is a tool mainly used to analyze and compare the energy consumption of various design/operation scenarios, while building automation systems (BAS) works as another energy management tool to monitor, measure and collect operational data, all in an effort to optimize energy consumption.
By integrating the energy simulated data and actual operational data, the accuracy of a building energy model can be increased while the calibrated energy model can be applied as a benchmark for guiding the operational strategies. This research predicted that building information modeling (BIM) would link BES and BAS by acting as a visual model and a database throughout the lifecycle of a building. The intent of the research was to use BIM to document energy-related information and to allow its exchange between BES and BAS. Thus, the energy-related data exchange process would be simplified, and the productive efficiency of facility management processes would increase.
A systematic literature review has been conducted in investigating the most popular used data formats and data exchange methods for the integration of BIM/BES and BAS, the results showed the industry foundation classes (IFC) was the most common choice for BIM tools mainly and database is a key solution for managing huge actual operational datasets, which was a reference for the next step in research.
Then a BIM-based framework was proposed to supporting the data exchange process among BIM/BES/BAS. 4 modules including BIM Module, Operational Data Module, Energy Simulation Module and Analysis and Visualization Module with an interface were designed in the framework to document energy-related information and to allow its exchange between BES and BAS. A prototype of the framework was developed as a platform and a case study of an entire office suite was conducted using the platform to validate this framework. The results showed that the proposed framework enables automated or semi-automated multiple-model development and data analytics processes. In addition, the research explored how BIM can enhance the application of energy modeling during building operation processes as a means to improve overall energy performance and facility management productivity. / Doctor of Philosophy / Building energy efficiency is progressively becoming a crucial topic in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector, promising appropriate energy savings can be achieved over the life cycle of buildings through proper design, construction, and operation.
Energy management tools have been developed towards this end. Building energy simulation (BES) is a tool mainly used to analyze and compare the energy consumption of various design/operation scenarios. These instances include the selection of both new and retrofit designs and for building codes, building commissioning, and real-time optimal control, among others. The main challenge surrounding BES is the discrepancy between quantitative results and actual performance data. Building automation systems (BAS), or a part of BAS which is often referred to as building energy management systems (BEMS), works as another energy management tool to monitor, measure and collect operational data, all in an effort to optimize energy consumption. The key disadvantage to the more general tool of BAS in energy management is that the data sets collected by BAS are typically too large to be analyzed effectively.
One potential solution to the lack of effective energy management analysis may lie in the integration of BES and BAS. Actual operational data can be compared with simulation results in assessing the accuracy of an energy model while the energy model can be applied as a benchmark for evaluating the actual energy consumption and optimizing control strategies. The presented research predicted that building information modeling (BIM) would link BES and BAS by acting as a visual model and a database throughout the lifecycle of a building. The intent of the research was to use BIM to document energy-related information and to allow its exchange between BES and BAS. Thus, the energy-related data exchange process would be simplified, and the productive efficiency of facility management processes would increase.
More specifically, this research posits the framework of integrating BIM, BES, and BAS to produce a seamless and real-time energy-related information exchange system. The proposed framework enables automated or semi-automated multiple-model development and data analytics processes. In addition, the research explored how BIM can enhance the application of energy modeling during building operation processes as a means to improve overall energy performance and facility management productivity.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/97364 |
| Date | 18 March 2020 |
| Creators | Xiong, Yunjie |
| Contributors | Myers-Lawson School of Construction, Reichard, Georg, Roofigari-Esfahan, Nazila, Turkaslan Bulbul, Muhsine Tanyel, Jazizadeh, Farrokh |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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