Integrating Parametric Analysis with Building Information Modeling to Improve Energy Performance of Construction Projects

Mohammad K. Najjar, Vivian W. Y. Tam, Leandro Torres Di Gregorio, Ana Catarina Jorge Evangelista, Ahmed W. A. Hammad and Assed Haddad
Additional contact information
Mohammad K. Najjar: Program de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
Vivian W. Y. Tam: School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
Leandro Torres Di Gregorio: Program de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
Ana Catarina Jorge Evangelista: School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
Ahmed W. A. Hammad: Faculty of Built Environment, New South Wales University, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Assed Haddad: Program de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 8, 1-22

Abstract: Buildings demand a significant amount of energy during their life cycles, hence, effective design measures need to be adopted to ensure efficient energy usage and management in buildings. This study proposes a framework based on various performance parameters to enable decision-makers utilizing standard procedures and software to empower the process of sustainable energy use and management in buildings, through a parametric analysis in different climatic conditions. Experimental design is adopted within the framework via the use of various performance parameters related to the building design (i.e., construction materials for exterior walls and roofs, as well as a set of window-to-wall ratios). Results indicate that climate data plays a fundamental role in the choice of design factors that are best suited for effective energy consumption in buildings. In particular, sub-type climate classifications, as opposed to the primary climate group, have a minor influence. Around 15% improvement in the energy consumption in buildings is noticed due to changes to the design factor such as the window-to-wall ratio. Insights that can be gleaned from this study include the impact of space area, exterior openings and material thickness and choice for the envelope of the building in all climate classifications, aiding in the design of low-energy buildings.

Keywords: energy in buildings; building management; building information modeling; sustainable construction; experimental design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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