Integrating BIM-Based Simulation Technique for Sustainable Building Design

Abstract

Sustainable development, of which construction is a part, has been recognizably divided into energy use reduction, industrial development, climate change, water conservation, recycling and waste reduction, sustainable procurement of materials, transport strategies and biodiversity. The sustainable building or structure is one that satisfies environmental, social and economic concerns in a balanced way. With the increasing demand for sustainable buildings’ design, the whole building energy simulation tools are extensively involved in the design process for saving energy and improving building performance. On the other hand, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is utilized as a simulation technique for various sustainability practices like; building location, orientation, sun- path analysis, thermal properties of materials, heating and cooling loads, daylighting and ventilation. However, sustainability is more concerned with all environmental aspects and the whole building design rather than energy simulation. The aim of this research is to introduce a simplified approach for BIM-based simulation technique as a tool for pre-assessment of sustainable buildings’ design. The proposed method helps project development team to conduct the required evaluation of design alternatives according to a specified Green Building Rating system. Moreover, a case study was applied on the rating system Leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) to investigate the configuration of using BIM in accordance with the LEED rating system and producing an easy to be handled assessment template that measures compliance with sustainable requirements and measures the potential points than the design can achieve.