Computer simulation of buildings with passive elements for energy efficiency

Abstract

Conservation of energy used for thermal and visual comfort in the building sector using passive techniques has both short and long term benefits. In short term, passive solar buildings can mean lower capital cost due to smaller equipment and in the longer run, the life cycle cost of the buildings would be lower. Since major decisions that affect the thermal performance are taken by the architect at the pre- design stage, it is essential to provide him with a set of tools on passive techniques that can be integrated to his design. These tools can be as important as detailed computer simulations since those can be adopted only when the architectural design of the structure is completed to a considerable extent. Therefore, detailed computer simulations are better suited to optimise a building where the architect has already incorporated some of the energy conservation options. This paper explains the development of a set of graphical aids for hot humid climates using the results of computer simulations. The possibility of developing artificial neural networks with such results also has been highlighted.