TO-82-06-3 -- Generalized Modeling and Simulation Software Tools for Building Systems PDF

Structured, generalized, digital modeling and simulation software tools which enable engineers to more easily produce formalized, documented, and transferable software for prediction of thermal performance and energy use in buildings are described. The bas is for these tools is modern state-space analysis techniques that cast modeling equations into a vector-matrix form ideally suited for digital computation. An automated building modeling capability generates detailed and simplified models directly from building plans through use of a library of construction element models (walls, floors, etc.). A user-oriented program interface enables interconnection of the building model with other component models selected from a library of HVAC equipment, controls, internal load schedules, and weather data to construct a closed-loop system simulation. Theoretical considerations for the modeling methodologies implemented in these tools are discussed along with techniques to systematically reduce the modeling complexity and simulation costs without loss of accuracy. Plans to implement the simulation tools on a minicomputer with an array processor are overviewed.