ThermalOpt: A Methodology for Automated BIM-Based Multidisciplinary Thermal Simulation for Use in Optimization Environments

This paper describes ThermalOpt - a multidisciplinary optimization (MDO) methodology for BIM-based passive thermal design of buildings. ThermalOpt addresses several design barriers found in practice today by integrating and automating commercially available technologies into a workflow from a parametric BIM model (Digital Project) to energy (EnergyPlus) and daylighting (Radiance) simulation engines using an open data model (Industry Foundation Classes). Details are discussed including methods for: automatically converting architectural models into multiple consistent thermal analytical models; integration/coordination of analysis inputs and outputs between multiple thermal analyses; reducing simulation times; and generating consistent annual metrics for energy and daylighting performance. We explain how this method can help designers explore orders of magnitude larger design spaces and understand the complex tradeoffs required to achieve zero energy buildings.