Deft User Guide <Virtual Environment> 6.0

Transcription

1 Deft User Guide <Virtual Environment> 6.0 Page 1 of 32

2 Contents 1. Introduction Components of the Deft System ModelIT CostPlan ApacheSim Deft Model Capital Cost Thermal Analysis Running Cost Environmental Miscellaneous Results Using Deft File Menu New Open Close Save Deft Project Save Deft Project As Print Output Exit Edit Menu Project Details Revert Refresh all energy simulation data Project New Scenario Copy Scenario Delete Scenario List Deft Scenarios Re-Reference Base Project Browser Review Summary of Results Scenario Analysis Graph Scenario Analysis Options Primary energy fuel factors Pollution Factors Currency Measurement Options Window Menu Cascade Tile Horizontally Tile Vertically Arrange Icons Restore default workspace Tool Buttons Main Toolbar How do I? Set whether a higher or lower figure is better Set a weighting value Page 2 of 32

3 1. Introduction Deft is a unique Value Engineering software tool. There are no similar products currently available in the marketplace. Deft enables organisations to compare building options based upon variables such as capital cost and thermal performance. The basic concept associated with Deft is that it can calculate key performance indices. These performance indices can be weighted to enable the effects of different building design changes to be compared more effectively and will allow the people involved in the decision making to do so based upon accurate information. In summary Deft has the following features: Deft can be used, particularly at the concept stage of the design process, to provide financial and design information for the client and the design team. Capital cost assessments will be performed against design parameters. Thermal analysis will be performed to provide information such as energy performance, environmental impact and running costs. The data model for Deft will be generated by the IES <Virtual Environment> data structure and can be used by the detailed simulation tools. Deft can be used throughout the design to help monitor the financial/environmental performance against client expectations. In addition, Deft will permit parametric analyses that are aimed at providing information to permit the Client to weight the relative strengths of any performance criteria. This type of information is extremely useful when multivariate analyses are performed because the complex inter-relationships between different design variables and the benefits of changes can be assessed against a common base. This type of system provides invaluable information but can also allow the client to express the range of acceptability and the design team to communicate effectively with the client, and each other, on the specific consequences of the various options e.g. fabric, window sizes, floor to ceiling heights, and so on. Currently Deft includes the following performance indicators: Capital costs. Thermal loads. In-use energy demand. Maximum heating and cooling demand. Areas, volumes, occupant movement, etc. Page 3 of 32

4 These performance indices, relevant to a particular project, are selected by the Client and the design team and subsequently monitored throughout the design, and possibly compared against post-occupancy measured data. The performance indices will also be used in parametric analyses to compare against target scores and adjusted by weighting factors to give an overall rating for each design option. The weighting factors will be decided between the client and the design team to weight the relative strengths of any performance criteria e.g. capital cost, running costs and energy consumption. Page 4 of 32

5 2. Components of the Deft System There are four principal modules associated with the Deft system. The following diagram shows the relationship between these four modules: ModelIT 3D Model Creation.ajf.idl CostPlan Capital Cost.cst Deft Value Engineering ApacheCalc Thermal Analysis In summary: ModelIT allows the 3D model to be built and modified. When the user Exports to Deft format two files are created: the *.idl file which contains a summary of the model; and the Apache job file (*.ajf) for thermal analysis purposes. CostPlan uses the 3D model information in the *.idl file created by ModelIT to estimate the capital cost of the building. The cost data file (*.cst) created by CostPlan is used by Deft. ApacheSim is optionally run from Deft to calculate the building energy consumption from the *.ajf file or it can be user-defined. Deft uses information from ModelIT, CostPlan and ApacheCalc. In Page 5 of 32

6 addition, Deft currently allows the user to assign running costs and various environmental parameters as well as performing the comparative analysis between different scenarios. Further information on ModelIT, CostPlan and ApacheCalc is now provided ModelIT ModelIT generates the *.idl data file for Deft. ModelIT consists of an easily learned, graphical 3D building modelling system capable of quickly creating the required geometrical model of the building. Initially, the user creates 3D bounded volumes and assigns any number of windows and doors to each surface of a bounded volume. ModelIT simultaneously assigns non-graphical room/zone data to the 3D geometry and automatically identifies adjacencies between rooms. The non-graphical data is assigned using user defaults. ModelIT has the capability and flexibility to swiftly create extremely complex geometric models. ModelIT substantially reduces the risk of errors in creating the model and all volumes, areas and adjacencies are automatically generated. ModelIT simplifies and accelerates the preparation of data for a wide range of building design studies including shadow modelling, dynamic thermal simulation, multi-zone airflow analyses and electric lighting/daylighting studies. Basically, there are five steps in the ModelIT procedure: A 3D geometry model of the building is created using a number of geometry objects to rapidly build the appropriate 3D geometry. Each object is a zone or room of the building. Windows and doors may be added to any surface of the model, ModelIT automatically distinguishes between windows and rooflights. Default constructions are defined (e.g. walls, floors, ceilings), along with building defaults (site and weather data) and room defaults (e.g. thermal, lighting, casual gains, air exchange). To accelerate model preparation ModelIT employs project specific and system databases for constructions and profiles, which are managed by APcdb and APpro respectively. Once ModelIT has generated the data model, clicking on an icon accesses the appropriate <Virtual Environment> program such as Apache (thermal analysis), SunCast (shading prediction) and Flucs (lighting design and analysis). See the appropriate IES User Guides for more information. The model can be exported to Deft format. Page 6 of 32

7 The ModelIT window incorporates a pull-down menu bar from which existing model files may be loaded, display and build settings specified, building and room default attributes set, and the current building storey and view rotation modified. In addition, because ModelIT is independent of a CAD system, it does not require a CAD workstation, therefore reducing capital cost and alleviating the need to have CAD experience to operate the software. Consequently, ModelIT is particularly useful at the early stage of the design process when only architectural sketches may be available. Once a model has been created in ModelIT then DEFT can read the data from it. For further information on ModelIT please refer to the ModelIT User Guide. Page 7 of 32

8 2.2. CostPlan Having created the model the capital cost of the building can be assessed in CostPlan. CostPlan enables the user to define a Cost Data File (*.cst) that can be assigned to a model and the capital costs calculated. In summary, CostPlan can use the 3D model created by ModelIT, which contains exact measures for the dimensions of the building, e.g. total floor area, roof area, external wall area, etc. These parameters are then used to generate the elemental costs which are required for the Outline Cost Plan. The Costs data file defines the "rules" and price data that is used to calculate the individual costs. The "rule" defines which measure is to be applied to the unit price to give the cost, e.g. "total floor area" is a commonly used measure. There are two principal CostPlan templates available at this time: a whole building template; and a building services template. CostPlan works by allowing the user to define a cost Category and each category has a number of elements. The user can add, delete or modify cost categories. The current Category Price and total price are also displayed. Page 8 of 32

9 If the user selects a particular category the elements within the category are displayed. The user can edit elements and assign an Element code that can be assigned to a unit cost. For example: cost/ground floor area; cost/total floor area, fixed cost, etc. The necessary areas, volumes and quantities are extracted from the 3D Model. The Cost Data File created to generate costs can then be used in Deft to help calculate capital costs. For further information on CostPlan please refer to the CostPlan User Guide ApacheSim Deft reads in the Annual results file (*.ann) generated by running an Apache Dynamic Simulation. This can be done either automatically through the Energy section of Deft or by reading the result file from a previously run simulation. For greater accuracy it is best to run ApacheSim outside of Deft as the user has more control over simulation settings. The *.ann file will not be produced under certain circumstances, if: i. there are multiple Apache Systems in use, or ii. ApacheHVAC is in use, iii. the simulation is for Compliance. For further information on ApacheSim please refer to the ApacheSim User Guide Deft Deft works by setting up a Base Case analysis. This is the starting point of any Deft project. Other scenarios can be applied where the geometry, building operation, capital cost, etc. may change. The information for the Base Case is defined as follows: Page 9 of 32

10 ModelIT is used to define the building model for analysis purposes and Exported to Deft. CostPlan is used to define the cost file (*.cst) for the model. The user runs Deft and defines if thermal, running cost, environmental or miscellaneous analyses are required. Having reached this stage the following form is displayed: There are six data tabs: Model Capital Cost Thermal Analysis Running Cost Environmental Miscellaneous These tabs can be summarised as follows: Model The Model tab allows the user to define the file created by ModelIT. Having entered this file the option to calculate the area and volume of the model can be invoked. Alternatively the user can define the area and volume of the building. Page 10 of 32

11 Capital Cost The cost data file can be defined through the Capital Cost tab. Deft calculates the capital costs associated for the building as CostPlan. The user can also define the capital cost if it has been obtained from another source. The Thermal Analysis, Running Cost, Environmental and Miscellaneous tabs are optional. Once defined for the Base Case they must be defined for all scenarios. If the user has not selected any of these options then the relevant tab can not be selected. However the tabs for each of these options are defined below Thermal Analysis When the thermal calculations are selected the user enters some supplementary information and ApacheCalc is invoked to calculate the appropriate heat loss and heat gain information. These values could have been entered via the user defined facility if ApacheCalc has been run on its own or more detailed values are available from ApacheSim Running Cost Currently the user must define the building running costs. IES are currently investigating the most effective method of calculating running costs. A complementary ApacheSim analysis may be carried out and the results entered into Deft by the user Environmental IES plan to calculate the following environmental parameters: Primary Energy Demand Embodied CO2 Embodied Energy CO2 CO NOx; SOx. A complementary ApacheSim analysis may be carried out and the results entered into Deft by the user Miscellaneous The Miscellaneous tab is extremely useful as it can be used for any variable important to the user, for example: The number of car park spaces. Occupant comfort. The number of hours exceeding 24 degc. Percentage occupant satisfaction; etc. Page 11 of 32

12 Results The purpose of the Results tab is to summarise the data entered and the calculated information. This information can be printed out to act as a record for the particular Base Case or Scenario. The information associated with these analyses will be described in the next section. Page 12 of 32

13 3. Using Deft The Deft menu bar has the following options: File Edit Scenario Review Options Window Help Each of these is described in detail in this section. Deft also has tool buttons that save you time by enabling you to select some of the most frequently used commands, without having to select them from the pull down menus at the top of the Deft window File Menu New The New command allows a new Deft project to be created Step 1: Name New Deft Project On selecting the New option, a new Deft Project window will pop up. Having named the new project the Project Details must be entered through the following form: Page 13 of 32

14 After entering the details the user is required to define the Base Case references: The user selects the analyses to be performed in this project. This selection can be altered at a later stage if necessary. If all the analysis options are selected then the Base Case form will be displayed: As this stage all information pertaining to the base case is empty. A description of how to complete each form follows Step 2: Complete the Model Tab The Model tab allows the user to reference the *.idl file created by ModelIT. Reading from the Model file the following parameters are obtained: Floor area; Volume; Net lettable area; and Total number of occupants. Page 14 of 32

15 Alternatively the user can define the fields manually. Having completed this task the Model tab should look as follows: Step 3: Complete the Capital Cost Tab The cost data file (*.cst) that was set up in CostPlan can be referenced through the Capital Cost tab. Having entered the cost data file the option to calculate capital costs is highlighted and Deft calculates the capital costs associated for the building based upon the model defined in the Model tab and the *.cst file. The capital cost figure is displayed in the appropriate box. The user can also define the capital cost if it has been obtained from another source. Having completed this task the Capital Cost tab should look as follows: Page 15 of 32

16 Step 4: Complete the Energy Tab On the Energy tab we can see the Peak Heating and cooling loads and the Annual energy loads for Heating; Cooling; Lighting and small power. The interface looks like this: The results can be obtained by using one of two methods either: a) Reading from an existing annual results file generated by ApacheSim (click Browse): b) Simulating from Deft. Clicking the Simulate button brings up the simplified simulation options dialog seen here: Page 16 of 32

17 On clicking this Simulate button Deft then starts up Apache to run a dynamic simulation on the current project. Please note that this can take a long time depending on the size and complexity of the model. It is recommended to perform the Simulation from within ApacheSim and read in the results as described in method a) above Step 5: Running Costs The running cost value can also be generated by ApacheSim Step 6: Environmental The Environmental tab is optional. The objective is to calculate several environmental variables namely: Primary Energy Demand Embodied Energy and Embodied CO2 Environmental gases CO2, CO, NOx and SOx Page 17 of 32

18 Step 7: LifeCycle tab The LifeCycle tab allows the user to enter the Net Present Value of the scenario. The <Virtual Environment> program LifeCycle performs this role and the NPV can be read from the LifeCycle project file or specified manually Step 7: Miscellaneous The Miscellaneous tab is different from the others as it offers the user the ability to enter any parameter they require, for example: Number of car park spaces Occupant comfort Net lettable area Rent Number of occupants; etc. Page 18 of 32

19 The Miscellaneous tab at the start for the Base Case is shown below. The form for the base case differs from the Scenario form in that it is only through the Base Case can a new item be inserted or deleted. When either of these actions are taken then Deft will automatically adjust the Miscellaneous tab in all scenarios and in the analysis forms. When choosing to Insert a new item, an area is created to enter three items: Description - this is the name of the Item to be entered. This name will be made available to the Miscellaneous tab for all scenarios. Value - is the numerical value for the item. This value will be initially set to zero in all scenarios. Please note that the user can enter any type of parameter through this feature Open The Open command allows you to read an existing Deft Project that has the *.idp extension. A standard Windows open file dialogue box will appear. Use this dialogue box to browse through the structure of your computer system, select the required *.idp file and click on the Open button. Page 19 of 32

20 Select the file required and the details of the project will be displayed. A summary of the title of the current scenarios is then displayed. The current project is ready for further work Close The Close facility allows you to save the current Deft Project and remove it from Deft without exiting Deft. This facility is particularly useful when a subsequent model is to be opened Save Deft Project You can use this command to save the current *.idp Project file at any point under the existing name Save Deft Project As You can use this command to save the current *.idp Project file at any point under Page 20 of 32

21 the existing name or under a different name. A standard Windows Save As file dialogue box will appear. Use this dialogue box to browse through the structure of your computer system, enter the required *.idp file name and click on the Save button Print Output Selecting Print will cause the Print dialogue box to appear Exit This command exits from Deft. If you have made any changes to the *.idp Project file, you will be given the option to save the amended file Edit Menu Project Details Use this command to alter the Project Details Revert Selecting this will reset the project to the state it was in at the last save. All changes since this save will be lost Refresh all energy simulation data This option will go through each scenario and run the energy simulation again. WARNING This could take a very long time. It is only recommended for advanced users of DEFT 3.3. Project The section allows the user to manage the various scenarios within the Deft project. Page 21 of 32

22 New Scenario When a new Scenario is created a copy of the currently selected scenario is made and titled X: Base Case (copy), where X is the next scenario. An example of a new Scenario selection is shown below: All the information pertaining to the Base Case is included in this new scenario. The procedure to convert this to a new scenario is now described. Select Rename Scenario and change the title of the Scenario, in this case to Courtyards. See Section below. Follow Steps 2-8 described in Section If a new model is entered then all other information will have to be recalculated. If the model is the same then only the analysis tabs where changes are made will it be necessary to recalculate Copy Scenario This feature is very similar to the New Scenario feature except that it allows the user to copy the active scenario, thereby saving some time in defining the scenario Delete Scenario The currently active scenario can be deleted using this option. See also the List Scenario option described below List Deft Scenarios The List DEFT Scenarios option displays the title of all scenarios in a window. Page 22 of 32

23 This window is also activated when a Deft project is opened. To edit a scenario either double click the mouse over the desired scenario or select the scenario and choose the Edit option. The delete option will remove the selected scenario. More than one scenario can be selected by holding down the control key Re-Reference Base When a new project is started the user is asked to define the type of analyses to be performed. This option allows the user to re-define these analyses. The user simply activates the appropriate analyses. This option should be used with some care as it is possible to lose information if an analysis is de-selected. Page 23 of 32

24 Project Browser This allows the user to switch between DEFT projects stored in the same folder without having to do File>Open. If the IDP files are all in the same location you can simply switch between them by highlighting the name Review The purpose of this menu selection is to allow comparison between the Base Case and the various scenarios Summary of Results This option provides the facility to review the results for the Base case and all the scenarios. Consider the following example: Page 24 of 32

25 In this example the absolute value of each variable for each scenario is displayed. This information can be printed if required. It is also possible to view the results by two alternative methods: By the absolute difference between the Base case and each scenario. The percentage difference between the Base case and each scenario Scenario Analysis This is the principal tool for comparing the relative merits of the various scenarios against the Base Case. Consider the following example: Deft uses the percentage differences between the Base Case and each scenario as the basis for calculating the relative performance of each scenario against the Base Case. The calculation procedure is as follows: The Percentage difference between the Base Case and scenario is calculated for each variable. The percentage difference is multiplied by the Scale and Factor values. The values for each variable are summed and the scenario with the highest value is deemed the best scenario, and better than the Base Case if it is a positive value. There are several items on this form that require further description: Page 25 of 32

26 Scale Some variables are better if they are less than the base case, i.e. a negative percentage difference compared with the Base Case is best. In these cases it is necessary to reverse the sign of the percentage difference for this calculation. The Scale is either 1 or -1 depending on the nature of the variable. The Scale is described in more detail in the next Section Weighting This is the weighting factor which signifies the importance of the particular variable to the decision making process. The higher the weighting the more significance this will have on the calculation of the best scenario. The next section describes how to assign these Weighting factors Value The value is the summation of all the values for each variable. Consequently the Value represents the relative benefit of the scenario against the Base Case. This enables the user to decide what the best options are and to assist in the decision making process. To assist the user the best option for a particular variable is displayed in red and the best Value is displayed in red and in bold Graph Scenario Analysis It is possible to graph the results of any of the variables including Value. If this option is selected then the following window is displayed: Page 26 of 32

27 Copy to Clipboard allows the graphical information to be saved and then pasted to any other Windows application Options Primary energy fuel factors This option displays the fuel factors used by the primary fuel. This is due for further work in future versions. Page 27 of 32

28 Pollution Factors This dialog provides a read-only display of the pollution emissions for a number of fuels it is for information only and the data has not been validated recently Currency This option allows the user to specify the currency units used by the economic data. There is no conversion done between currencies at present this is simply a label used to identify which currency is being used. For US based customers the default it US Dollars $ and for all other locations the default is British pounds Measurement Options Working Units allow the user the choice of working in imperial or metric units. Page 28 of 32

29 3.6. Window Menu Cascade Cascade arranges all windows to lie on one on top of another. This is best when several windows are active Tile Horizontally This option arranges all windows side by side horizontally. This is not recommended if too many windows are active Tile Vertically This option arranges all windows side by side vertically. This is not recommended if too many windows are active Arrange Icons User arranges all minimised (iconised) windows Restore default workspace This option arranges the workspace to a sensible setting Page 29 of 32

30 4. Tool Buttons The tool buttons save you time by enabling you to select some of the most frequently used commands, without having to select them from the pull down menus at the top of the Deft window. The following tools buttons are part of the Main Toolbar Main Toolbar The available tool buttons are: New Project (see File menu) Open Project (see File menu) Close Project (see File menu) Save Project (see File menu) Print Detailed Output List Scenarios Scenario references Display summary of results (see Results menu) Display Scenario Analysis (see Results menu) Graph Scenario Analysis (see Results menu) Exit Help Page 30 of 32

31 5. How do I? 5.1. Set whether a higher or lower figure is better This is extremely important in calculating the best scenario because it acts to ensure that all the best options have positive values and the worst options have negative values. You can see this information in the DEFT Analysis dialog: A blue up arrow means that a higher value is preferred whereas a red down arrow means that a lower figure is preferred. To toggle this setting you simply double-click on the arrow. Page 31 of 32

32 5.2. Set a weighting value These factors can have a dramatic effect on the comparison between scenarios. It is important that these values represent the project requirements. To change the values simply edit the value in the DEFT Analysis screen It is recommended the range of values of factors is not too great. For example if one variable has a factor of over 100 and another is 1 then this latter value is meaningless and should be set to zero. Page 32 of 32