3Ds MAX to FEM for building thermal distribution: A case study

Abstract

The complication of building constructions, with irregular geometry, different building materials, variable morphology, alterations and damages, poses numerous challenges in the digital modeling and simulation of structural performances under different types of actions. Most of the research is focused on importing Three Dimension (3D) geometry data in a Finite Element Method (FEM) applications. This paper presents an innovative two-step methodology (3ds MAX-to-FEM) able to convert a Three Dimension Studio Modeling, Animation & Rendering Software/Autodesk (3ds MAX) file into a FEM for structural simulation. In this study, the 3ds MAX file is a large building, has been carried out with an accurate survey that integrates geometrical aspects, element interconnections, and architectural considerations. Then it is turned into COMSOL Multiphysics environment and tested thermal simulation with a geometric rationalization which preserves irregularities and anomalies, such as verticality deviation and variable thickness. After setting material properties, loads, and boundary conditions, the structural simulation is run with a detailed model that respects the uniqueness and authenticity of the building. A real case study is illustrated and discussed to prove that a rigorous 3ds MAX to FEM workflow allows the generation of an accurate practical methodology for 3D visualization and simulation for thermal distribution operation in COMSOL. Structural simulation was carried out with a 3D mesh derived from the 3ds MAX file in order to take into consideration the geometrical irregularity of a building. COMSOL Multiphysics is a software tool uses artificial intelligent and soft computing for doing computations with high speed and accuracy, and computes and shows different types of phenomenon together. In this study simulation results compare with the reality results. Here, the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed approach are illustrated.