Optimization testing for the modeling and characterization of three-dimensional elements to enhance interoperability from building information modeling (BIM) to building energy modeling (BEM)

Abstract

The principal aim of the different authors regarding the issues concerning the interoperability between Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Building Energy Modelling (BEM) platforms is focused on workflow automation. This article aims to focus on the modeling practices, by suggesting practical modeling recommendations for BIM modelers, which improve the exportation results to BEM platforms. The project followed a two-phase methodology consisting first of the proposal of a line of modeling recommendations based on a literature review, and second of the application of the recommendations, using an experimental model. At the outset, the authors recompiled research papers, software tutorials, and the main author's usage (by tool testing). The recommendations were organized by categories and fields of implementation. For the second phase, a single-family housing project was assigned for the testing procedures. The project was modeled with the two main BIM platforms available for the research (Autodesk Revit and Graphisoft Archicad). The testing procedures included the implementation of the recommendations by categories, and each category was evaluated by two premises: the geometrical consistency of the exported model with the project (by using the Aragog gbXML viewer tool), and the utility of the imported model on a BEM platform (by using Design Builder software with EnergyPlus). The results of each tested model were contrasted and analyzed, to determine if the implemented recommendations were successful for improving the exportation process. In conclusion, it was found that the recommendations improved the geometrical consistency and the elements characterization with the building systems, and an energy analytic simulation was successfully fulfilled with the optimized model imported from both BIM software. Although the recommendations made small improvements from the base to the optimized model, the result for each exported model was a successful energy analytic simulation.