GSB Library Atrium Analysis
John Brooks
Richard Jones
Reid Senescu
Min Jae Suh
Matt Yamasaki

Model Information
 Feature: 2-story building with 12 windows and
1 skylight with atrium
 Building Volume: 240 m³
 Building Area: 78 m 2

1.
Structure
2.
Lighting
3.
Acoustics
4.
Schedule, 4D
5.
Cost
6.
Energy Analysis
7.
CFD
8.
Sample Money Slide
9.
Challenges and Resolutions
For each tool: a) Definition b) c) d) e)
Tool Explanation
Goal of Analysis
Input
Results

Structure
• Analysis tools to evaluate the behavior & performance of structures under a various loading conditions
• Performance Standards:
 Building codes
 Earthquake resistance
 Serviceability
 Collapse prevention
4

•
•
Revit Structure
BIM based modeling tool
Objects contain material, dimensional, connection and loading data
•
•
•
•
•
•
Object based modeling and analysis software.
Static/Dynamic analysis for frame & shear wall buildings.
Seismic acceleration analysis
Wind load forcing functions
Effects of beam-column partial fixity
Code-based load inputs
5

Static Load Conditions
• Dead Load
• Live Load
• Earthquake
 IBC 2006: Inputs are fixed.
• Wind
 ASCE 7-02 Wind Loading
 Applied to all area objects
 Wind speed = 100 mph
 Unknown Inputs: importance factor, exposure type, topographical factor, gust factor, directionality factor
6

Model Analysis
• Analysis Goal
 Determine maximum moments & deflections under given loading conditions
 Determine demand capacity ratios for all members
• Analysis Parameter
 Dimensions of members
 Joints: Releases
 Materials
 Loads: Load combinations
7

Revit Structure
• Regenerate Revit Architecture model
• Member Properties
Slab: 12” generic fill
Wall: 8” generic bearing
Beams: 24x32 concrete, CIP, pinned connections
Columns: 24x24 concrete, CIP, fixed connections
Loads: 40 psf area load.
8

ETABS
• Import Revit model
• Correct geometric errors
• Define “dummy surfaces”
• Define additional load parameters & combinations
• Analyze
9

Analysis Result
• ETABS generates shear, moment and deflection data on each beam.
• Have not successfully obtained demand capacity ratio data.
LOAD
COND
DL
DE
BEAM B2
V max
(k) M max
(k in) D max
(in)
2.72
2.73
87.01
88.12
0.017
0.017
DWL 2.99
100.54
0.020
DL = 1.2 Dead + 1.6 Live
DE = 1.2 Dead + 1.0 Earthquake
DWL = 1.2 Dead + 1.3 Wind + 0.5 Live
10

DaySim
• Uses Radiance (ray-tracing engine) to calculate daylighting performance over entire year
• Uses Mental Ray (ray-tracing engine) to create real daylight renderings of building

Lighting Inputs/Assumptions
• Sunnyvale Weather File
• Occupied 8 AM to 5 PM
• Min. Illuminance: 500 lux
• All default settings

Lighting Results
• Total Electric Lighting Energy: 2.9 kWh/SF
– Average Office Building Energy: 2.6 kWh/SF
• Daylight Autonomy: 60%
– % of the year when a minimum illuminance threshold is met by daylight alone
• 0% of sensors have Daylight Factor > 2%
– ratio of internal to external illuminance.
• 100% of sensors have a Continuous Daylight
Autonomy above 60%
– % of time daylight is sufficient (with partial credit)

Daylight Study, May 5, 2008

Acoustic Definition
• Acoustics: Interdisciplinary science that deals with the study of sound, ultrasound and infrasound.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustics)
• Architectural Acoustics: design of spaces, structures, and mechanical/electrical systems to meet hearing needs
(Benjamin Stein, John S. Reynolds, Walter T. Grondzik, Alison G. Kwok,
“Mechanical and electrical equipment for buildings,” 10 th edition, Wiley)
15

ECOTECT
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Statistical Reverberation
Sprayed Acoustic Rays
Animated Sound Particles
Interactive Control Using the Mouse Wheel
Color-Coded Display
Reflector Coverage
Acoustic Analysis
Linking Decay Rates to Geometric Path
16

Model Analysis
• Analysis Goal
 Installing speakers on the optimized spot
• Analysis Parameter
 Installing/Number/Type of Speakers
 Interior Material
 Number/Type/Occupancy of Seats
17

Input Data
• Material Condition
 Material:
Roof(Claytile Roof)
Wall(Conc Block Render)
Ceiling(Acoustics Tile Suspend)
Speaker(Column Speaker 1000W)
Floor(Conc Flr Carpeted Suspended)
Window(Double Glazed Alum frame)
• Speaker Condition
 Number: 3 Speakers
 Installing: 2 Corner & 1 Center of Bottoms (3 Speakers)
18

Analysis Result
• Distribution of Particle
 Direct particle: Around Speakers
 Masked particle: Most of the particles&all around the room
 Useful particle: Only from 63Hz
 Echo/Reverberation/Border: No occurrence
63Hz 16KH z
19

Analysis Result (cont)
• Reverberation Time
 No Chair and No Occupancy
• Conclusion
 Most Suitable: Norris-Eyring
(Highly absorbant)
 Selected: Norris-Eyring
(Highly absorbant)
FREQ. TOTAL
ABSPT.
63Hz: 665.509
125Hz: 7534.765
SABINE
RT(60)
0.47
0.48
NOR-ER
RT(60)
0.00
0.12
MIL-SE
RT(60)
0.00
0.14
250Hz: 7377.649
500Hz: 7185.799
1kHz: 6943.730
2kHz: 6626.046
4kHz: 6184.510
8kHz: 5511.301
16kHz: 4293.445
0.49
0.50
0.52
0.54
0.58
0.65
0.83
0.15
0.18
0.22
0.26
0.32
0.44
0.75
0.17
0.21
0.24
0.29
0.36
0.48
0.7920
20

Analysis Result (cont)
• Reverberation Time
 Assume 100 Hard back Chairs and 70%
Occupancy
FREQ. TOTAL SABINE
ABSPT.
RT(60) • Conclusion
 Optimum RT (500Hz - Speech): 1.21 s
 Optimum RT (500Hz - Music): 1.95 s
 Volume per Seat: 223.350 m3
 Minimum (Speech): 4.550 m3
 Minimum (Music): 8.503 m3
 Most Suitable: Norris-Eyring
63Hz: 7665.509
125Hz: 7534.765
250Hz: 7377.649
0.47
0.48
0.49
500Hz: 7185.799
0.50
(Highly absorbant)
 Selected: Norris-Eyring (Highly absorbant)
1kHz: 6943.730
0.52
2kHz: 6626.046
0.54
NOR-ER
RT(60)
0.00
0.12
0.15
0.18
0.22
0.26
4kHz: 6184.510
8kHz: 5511.301
0.58
0.65
0.32
0.44
MIL-SE
RT(60)
0.00
0.14
0.17
0.21
0.24
0.29
0.36
0.48
16kHz: 4293.445
0.83
0.74
0.79
21

Analysis Result (cont)
• Acoustic Response
 Calculation Method:
Estimated Reverberation
 dB range: -60dB
 Max Bounces: 17
 Time: 0.013sec=13ms
• Conclusion
 Number of Points: 1597
(20 Reflections)
 Mean Free Path Length: 0.054 m
 Effective Surface Area: 0.252 m2
 Effective Volume: 0.003 m3
 Most Suitable: Norris-Eyring
(Highly absorbant)
FREQ. TOTAL
ABSPT.
63Hz: 0.252
125Hz: 0.247
250Hz: 0.240
500Hz: 0.233
1kHz: 0.223
2kHz:
4kHz:
0.210
0.192
8kHz: 0.165
16kHz: 0.117
SABINE
RT(60)
0.00
NOR-ER
RT(60)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
MIL-SE
RT(60)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
22

Analysis Result (cont)
23

Analysis Result (cont)
• Existed Ray/Particles Animation
24

Schedule, 4D
• Definition
4D model: a model that links the 3D description of a product to be constructed with the plan and time-based schedule to build it. A 4D animation shows the construction of a project
Virtual Design and Construction: Themes, Case Studies and Implementation
Suggestions by John Kunz & Martin Fischer

Schedule, 4D
• Tool Explanation
– Navisworks JetStream
• Combines a schedule and a 3D model to create a movie of the construction of the project

Schedule, 4D
• Goal of Analysis
– See if either option present construction complications based on schedule
– Review constructability of both alternatives
– Analyze sequence of activities
• Parameters of Analysis
– Building Components
– Building Schedule Durations
– Work Type (Construct/Demolish)

Schedule, 4D
• Input
– Schedule
• Microsoft Project
– 3D Model
• Revitt  Autodesk
– MISTAKE: To remedy this, use Revit convert to IFC and use that in
Navisworks

Schedule

3D Model

• Result
Schedule, 4D

Cost
• Definition
– A cost model will help estimate the construction costs of a product. At times complex algorithms may be implemented; however, a model can also be as simple as a product formula in a spreadsheet.

Cost
• Tool Explanation
– Using the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) based standard for defining object properties, Quantity Takeoff Explorer produces all quantities related to the objects contained in the model. Quantity Takeoff
Explorer calculates the quantities based on objects types and IFC defined dimensions.
(wikipedia)

Schedule, 4D
• Goal of Analysis
– Pull in construction costs rapidly
– Generate associated labor costs
– Compare the two alternatives
• Parameters of Analysis
– Square Footage
– Building Components
– Construction Region selected

Cost
• Input
– Revit Model
• Database
• IFC
• Scene (Assemblies)
– Specific
• Building Square Footage


Cost

Cost
• Results
– Since I could not get our model to run, I pulled some reports using the Building Explorer files given called “GTC1”

Cost
Component Costs

Cost

Cost

Energy Analysis
• IES Virtual Environment
– ApacheSim
• Simulates HVAC performance (ApacheHVAC)
• Simulates natural and mixed ventilation (MacroFlo)
• Simulates building loads (ApacheLoad)
• Simulates heat loss/gain (ApacheCalc)

Energy Analysis
• Goal:
– To determine necessary heating and cooling loads for design conditions
– To determine energy consumption of building
– To determine if natural ventilation will be sufficient

Energy Analysis
• Model Inputs:
– Local weather data
– Daylighting output
– Gains from from lights, equipment, and occupants
– Building type and operation properties
– Building components attributes
• Windows, doors, etc

Energy Analysis
• Model Outputs:
– Total room and ventilation loads
– HVAC loads
– Building energy consumption
– Carbon emissions
– Comfort indices
– Generated ventilation airflows

CFD Analysis
• CFD: Computational Fluid Dynamics
– Analysis of fluid flows using numerical methods and algorithms
– Simulation of wind tunnel performance

CFD Analysis
IES Virtual Environment
• MicroFlo (IES VE)
• Numerical simulation of air flow an heat transfer
• User definable obstructions
• Interoperability with Virtual
Environment model

CFD Analysis
• Goals:
– Determine effects of atrium on airflow in building
– Predict occupant comfort
• Temperature gradient in rooms
• Air velocity

CFD Analysis
• Model inputs:
– Boundary Conditions defined during energy analysis
– Obstructions and heat generating component
• Ex: People, computers, radiators, etc
• Model outputs:
– Air flow temperature, direction, and velocity
– Graphical displays of temperature gradient and air flow properties

Sample MACDADI Goodness
Schedule
Constructability
-1
-2
-3
Structure
3
2
1
0
Acoustics
Energy
First Cost CFD
Lighting

Challenges
• Cost - Building Explorer
– Export from Revit not working
– Revit to .dwg to Navisworks, object come in funny
– Scene (.bxds file) not working
• Resolution: Contacted Building Explorer, awaiting response. Try to Navisworks from
• Energy and CFD Analysis - IES
– Cannot export from Revit
– License for new version doesn’t work
– Even 2d .dxf ran into errors
• Resolution: Export through 2d .dxf, inputing ceiling heights, emailing IES
• Acoustic - Ecotect
– No detailed tutorials
– Trouble with .dxf,
• Resolution: Enough worked for demo

Challenges
• Structure
– Openings in Revit don’t show as openings in ETABS
– Not sure how concrete capacity works, can’t output real demand/capacity
• Resolution: create opening manual and will investigate capacity or do hand cals.
• Lighting
– Couldn’t export daylighting simulation to compatible .avi format
• Resolution: play with different formats and codecs
• I-Room Problems
– Could not access P drive for about seven days
• Resolved, though can’t connect laptops
– Two computers had no mouse
• Resolution: other students stole a mouse from another lab
– A few computers never have access to P drive
• Resolution: will e-mail Marc