Efficiency of utilizing building information modeling tools for examining smart materials behavior in a hot climate

Abstract

The significance of smart materials aligns seamlessly with promoting the seventh goal of Sustainable Development, given their adaptability and energy-efficient properties in the construction sector. Using BIM tools to simulate environmental performance can enhance understanding of the behavior of smart materials within building components. Therefore, this study proposes integrating genetic algorithms (GA) with Building Information Modeling (BIM) through the Dynamo plugin. Where genetic algorithms help link the properties of smart materials and external stimuli, which outperforms traditional simulation tools for energy analysis.A comparison between the analysis process in Dynamo and Green Building Studio (GBS) emphasizes Dynamo's efficiency in simulating energy performance within the BIM environment in a shorter process. The effectiveness of simulating smart materials in Dynamo was validated in a hot climate through two scenarios of Phase change materials (BioPCM 29) and thermochromic materials (TCM), that were used in a lecture hall in an educational building in the Faculty of Engineering at Port Said University. Through the heat transfer rate indicator, energy consumption reduction rates were calculated. Integrating (BioPCM 29) into walls, ceilings, and glazing demonstrated a notable reduction in energy consumption for cooling in the summer months by a rate ranging between 23.3% and 23.4%. While (TCM) helped reduce consumption by 19.3%–19.4% in the same period of months. These findings affirm the research objective, highlighting BIM's potential as a tool to compare the environmental performance of smart materials and thus reach the optimal choice from the initial design stages.