BIM Based Normative Calculations for Early Stages of Building Design

Abstract

This paper describes research developed in automatic of normative calculations using BIM technologies for the purpose of supporting design decisions based in engineering data, such systems are an important design assessment parameter when performing design decisions, and influence in the performance of the building in early stages of design. Our research concentrates in developing computational technologies to allow computer software to implement normative calculation to support designer’s capabilities to perform design decisions, this is done in the domain of ventilation systems engineering. We describe here new methodologies for embedding engineering domain heuristics normative calculations and the associated geometric operations in contemporary Computer Aided Design (CAD) software; this is done to achieve close to real time engineering feedback, therefore, facilitating engineering base decision making during early concept architectural design workflows. This research has been developed in the context of laboratory buildings, since for these there is several well-established normative calculations regarding both design best practices and systems engineering particularly in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), particularly in ventilation.