Building Simulation
Simulation of TGA and building characteristics
Every modern building is an extremely complex structure and almost resembles a living organism. Many processes take place simultaneously in a building. In conventional planning, those were only calculated individually. Therefore, in practice, building characteristics often deviated from those calculated in theory. For this reason the building simulation was developed.
What is a building simulation?
In the construction industry, this is a computer model of a building in which the building properties are exactly reproduced. In a building simulation, all building characteristics are reproduced in a 3D model. Unlike a physical model or various construction drawings, a building simulation is dynamic and also shows the interactions between different components and processes and how they influence the building characteristics.
Examples for the influence of building characteristics
Many clients want bright, light-flooded rooms and pass this wish on to the architect, who will produce appropriate designs. Daylight saves energy for lighting and increases productivity. However, the influence of numerous and large windows on the building characteristics can only be precisely determined by a building simulation. The windows can have a decisive influence on building characteristics.
For example, as summer temperatures increase and sunshine lasts longer, rooms may overheat or more electricity may be consumed instead of saved because the air conditioning is running at full load. The building characteristics can also be adversely affected in winter, because a lot of heat can be radiated through the window glass, which increases the energy consumption of the heating system.
In a building simulation, the interaction of the individual factors on the building characteristics, in this case lighting, heating and air conditioning, is investigated and their influence on the energy demand and the indoor climate of the building is determined.
How does the building simulation work?
To ensure that the building characteristics can be represented according to reality, interdisciplinary cooperation takes place on a computer model, using special software. The architect creates a design that represents the building shell, so to speak. Engineers and designers from other disciplines, such as building services engineers, electrical engineers, fire protection specialists and interior designers also work on the model.
The data entered is automatically saved. In the end, a virtual model of the building is created in the computer. A building simulation can then be used to simulate whether and how the various components influence each other and how this affects the building characteristics.
What are the advantages of building simulation?
It saves an enormous amount of money and time because problems or negative effects on building characteristics can be identified and eliminated in the planning phase. Some negative influences on building characteristics only become apparent during the building simulation, because it also takes into account interactions between the individual factors.
Many specialists are often not even aware of the influence that the systems and installations in their field have on the overall building and the interaction of the various components. Building simulations reveal negative influences on building characteristics and thus save time and costly corrections on the construction site.
Building simulations also increase safety because in the building characteristics category it is possible to simulate how quickly smoke spreads in a fire, how best to keep escape routes smoke-free and how long it takes for everyone to leave the building in a hazardous situation.
Summary
In a building simulation, a virtual model of a building is created on the computer. This model not only simulates the structure of the building, but also the processes taking place in it, and examines their interactions and influences on the building characteristics. The building simulation is created on an interdisciplinary basis and helps to save time and costs as well as to improve safety, because negative influences are already recognized during the planning stage. By means of a building simulation, the result or the success of the planning can be proven before the building is erected.