Elective Course
Credits: 3-0-3 (3 semester hours)
Type of Course: Seminar/Workshop
Instructors: Godfried L. Augenbroe
Prerequisites: Knowledge of basic heat transfer physics. Working knowledge of differential equations, matrix calculus, and some computer programming experience. Some experience with Matlab is recommended.
- Fundamentals of building simulation and introduction of the finite element method.
- Formulation of the heat and mass transport equations in building systems; this involves the study of heat transfer phenomena in building components of increasing complexity: wall, window, room, shading devices, multiple rooms, idealized HVAC systems. The governing equations for these systems are derived, discretized and cast into a simulation engine followed by code development in Matlab.
- Application studies and comparison with standard tools such as eQuest.
- Application to advanced topics in whole house simulation.
- The acquired skill is essential for PhD students that want to specialize in computational simulation or need an advanced simulation feature not offered by current commercial softwares.
Students learn how to develop their own extensible Building Simulation software. At the end of the semester each student has developed a simulation kernel from the ground up using the Matlab environment. The kernel should be able to simulate the dynamic behavior of a solar house under varying conditions and controls.
Course Requirements: Course is given in workshop style; each week an incremental addition to Matlab code needs to be produced.
Suggested Readings:
Textbooks:- Any Matlab primer
- Chapter of standard book on Finite Element Method (hand-out)
- J.A. Clarke, Energy Simulation in Building Design (second edition, 2001). Butterworth-Heinemann, ISBN 0 7506 5082 6
Requirements:
Weekly production of code increments.
Evaluation: checking results of generated software against existing program (eQuest or other)
Final assignment: application of developed code to relevant research problem, such as:
- Online control design of ventilation damper
- Estimate material property from sensor readings