BIM and genetic algorithm optimisation for sustainable building envelope design

Abstract

Decision-making (DM) at the early building design stages is essential to optimise sustainability performances. Nevertheless, the current methods of optimising building sustainability are complex as they involve multiple design variables and performance objectives. With the development of building information modelling (BIM), complicated buildings can be digitally constructed with precise geometry and accurate information for design optimisation in the early stages of project. Thus, this study explores the use of BIM and Genetic Algorithm (GA) to support DM and optimisation for sustainable building envelope design. To develop a BIM-GA optimisation method, Autodesk Revit template was created to extract data of building envelope from a Base Model (BM). Then, the data were employed to compute overall thermal transfer value (OTTV) and construction cost for BM evaluation and GA optimisation. A hypothetical building was modelled and then analysed using the proposed method as a test case. The BIM-GA optimisation method can address the difficulties of DM on building sustainability in the early design process.

Computational Bim for Green Retrofitting of the Existing Building Envelope

“…BIM can characterise building geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information, quantities as well as properties of building elements, cost, materials, project schedule and other energy performance-related information, therefore, can be useful for solving green retrofitting DM and optimisation problems [20]- [25]. However, despite the increasing implementation of BIM in new building projects, the use of BIM in existing buildings' retrofitting is still limited [10], [26].…”

Evaluating the impact of operating energy reduction measures on embodied energy

“…Today's world is facing several environmental concerns such as climate change, ozone layer depletion, energy crisis, global warming, waste accumulation, rapid urbanization etc., (Lim et al, 2018;Cabeza et al, 2014). Current research shows that the building industry consumes around 48% of the world's energy annually, making it a major contributor of greenhouse emissions .…”

Computational BIM for Building Envelope Sustainability Optimization

“…Nevertheless, the choices of building material will affect the construction cost. Thus the trade-off between the thermal performance and cost is needed to derive optimum solutions [5]. Different analyses are required to evaluate the performances, and some of these processes are disjointed [6].…”