Jul 7, 2017 - Three docker images are used hosted on dedicated servers (one for every operational stage) and multiple instances are activated. PLATFORM ...
A cloud-based platform for IFC file enrichment with second-level space boundary topology
Georgios N. Lilis1, Kyriakos Katsigarakis1, Georgios Giannakis1 and Dimitrios Rovas1,2 (1Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece; 2 University
College London, London, United Kingdom);
July 7th, 2017
Lean & Computing in Construction Congress
OUTLINE • OptEEmAL project • Building Information Model to Building Energy Performance Simulation transformation • Platform • Concept • Software Architecture • Design Errors • Examples • Achievements • Features • Conclusions
2
OPTEEMAL Cloud-based platform for district retrofitting implementing a 3-steps process: •
Diagnosis (using input data) and formulation of scenarios.
•
Evaluation and optimization.
•
Best scenario selection and data exportation to stakeholders.
IFC 3
IFC 1
IFC 2
3
BIM – BEPS •
Building data in IFC STEP files (IFC4, DTV).
•
For evaluation of district retrofitting scenarios a fast and
IFC 3
IFC 1
reliable method is required to use IFC data for setting up of building energy performance simulation inputs such as EnergyPlus (idf files). •
Two major geometric requirements:
1. Geometric content of the IFC file should be “error free.” 2. The IFC geometric content should include 2nd level space boundaries[1]. 2nd level space boundaries: Surfaces through which thermal energy flows either among building spaces or among a space and its environment (air/ground).
[1] Bazjanac, V. (2010). Space boundary requirements for modeling of building geometry for energy and other performance simulation. 27th CIB W78. Cairo
IFC 2
PLATFORM - CONCEPT 2nd level space boundary information is often wrong or missing.
PLATFORM - CONCEPT •
An online web-platform has been developed (accessible at http://tuc.opteemal.eu/cbip) which enriches IFC geometry with the 2nd-level space boundary information.
•
The enriched IFC files contain required geometric information required in building energy performance simulation (BEPS) tools.
Input IFC
Enhanced IFC
+
Illustration of the platform’s main functionality.
PLATFORM – SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE Three operational stages: 1. IFC data extraction and xml string formation. The input IFC file is deserialized and the required geometric content is extracted (geometric representation of architectural elements: walls, slabs,…). 2. CBIP algorithm execution. This information is used as input to the CBIP algorithm[1] which produces the 2nd level space boundary topology. 3. IFC data enrichment. The surfaces of the 2nd level space boundary topology are used to enhance the input IFC data and the final IFC file is serialized with these data. Three docker images are used hosted on dedicated servers (one for every operational stage) and multiple instances are activated.
[1] Lilis, G.N., Giannakis. G.I., Rovas D. (2017). Automatic generation of second-level space boundary topology from IFC geometry inputs. Automation in Construction, 76, 108-124.
PLATFORM – SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE The user uploads the IFC file in a web-based User Interface. Asynchronous communication between the different platform components is established using an Enterprise Service Bus architecture. For every uploaded IFC file, a process stream is initiated with specific id tag #... .
Yellow process ends design errors exist in original IFC. Green process ends no design errors exist in original IFC. Red process does not end original IFC is not according to schema.
Both original and enhanced IFC files can be downloaded. Appropriate info button provides information about the process execution and, if detected, design errors on the input file.
PLATFORM – DESIGN ERRORS A yellow progress bar appears when design errors[1] exist in the original IFC file. The accuracy of the space boundaries in the enhanced IFC file cannot be guaranteed. Space definition errors (error code 1001) One or more internal building space volumes is
not
surrounded
by
other
building
constructions (A) or a clash exists between a building space and a neighbor building element (B). Site definition errors (error code 1002) Either the building site is
not defined
geometrically in the original IFC file (A), or the site surfaces are not attached other building elements (B). In such cases the surfaces of the building’s ground boundary conditions cannot be generated in the BEPS model. [1] Lilis, G.N., Giannakis. G.I., Rovas D. (2017). Detection and semi-automatic correction of geometric inaccuracies in IFC files. Proc. of Building Simulation IBPSA conference 2015 Hyderabad, India, pp. 504-511.
PLATFORM – EXAMPLES Simple case: IFC file of a two story demo building (
