DesignBuilder - File size:
- N/A
- Date added:
- Jun 20, 2024 | Last update check: 1 minute ago
- Licence:
- Trial
- Runs on:
- Windows 8 64-bit / 10 64-bit / 11
DesignBuilder is a simulation tool that enables you to analyze building performance and optimize energy efficiency. It allows users to create a single energy model for various building performance simulations, including heating and cooling loads, HVAC systems, daylight modeling, passive design, building certification, CFD, and cost optimization.
It is typically used to assess design impacts on energy consumption, evaluate façades for overheating and appearance, perform thermal simulations, report lighting savings from daylight use, predict daylight performance, visualize site layouts and shading, calculate HVAC sizes, and conduct detailed HVAC and natural ventilation simulations using CFD. It supports ASHRAE 90.1 and LEED energy models, design optimization, cost and life cycle analysis, and sustainability assessments for certifications like BREEAM and LEED. The software generates compliance reports for various regulations, using EnergyPlus, Radiance, and OpenFOAM engines for precise calculations.
Modules. DesignBuilder’s essential modules include a 3D Modeller, Visualization, Simulation, Daylighting, and HVAC. These modules collectively support efficient and sustainable building design by integrating modeling, analysis, and visualization capabilities. DesignBuilder offers additional modules for Cost estimation, LEED and ASHRAE 90.1 calculations, Optimization to meet design goals, Scripting to customize EnergyPlus simulations, CFD for airflow and thermal analysis, as well as Certifications for calculations related to energy efficiency standards in the UK and Ireland.
Pricing plans. DesignBuilder offers several pricing plans tailored to different user needs. For architects, there are the “Architectural Essentials” and “Architectural Plus” packages. Engineers can choose from “Engineering Fundamentals,” “Engineering Essentials,” and the comprehensive “Engineering Pro” plan, which includes advanced features like CFD and scripting.
Integration
DesignBuilder integrates with several engines: EnergyPlus for detailed HVAC modeling and energy performance analysis, Radiance for advanced daylight simulation, and CFD for airflow and thermal comfort analysis. These integrations enable comprehensive and accurate building performance simulations using industry-standard tools.
Models can be imported from BIM software, like Revit, ArchiCAD, and Microstation, in gbXML format. DesignBuilder also provides direct integration with Revit through a dedicated plugin.
DesignBuilder provides native integration with One Click LCA, enabling the transfer of energy models for detailed materials analysis. This integration helps users achieve BREEAM and LEED credits and access a comprehensive material database for accurate carbon and LCA performance assessments.
Typical workflow
- Create an early-stage model: Create an initial design model, and adjust its geometry and data to reflect the project’s progression into detailed design.
- Run calculations: Perform heating and cooling load calculations to inform the design, followed by the addition of a detailed HVAC system using EnergyPlus.
- Utilize advanced tools: Employ scripting and parametric analysis for more sophisticated simulations.
- Perform analyses: Conduct energy and environmental performance evaluations, daylight simulations, CFD analyses, and cost and carbon calculations.
- Compliance and reporting: Use automated tools to generate baseline buildings and HVAC systems as per ASHRAE 90.1 standards, compare proposed designs with these baselines, and generate LEED v4.1 MEPC submission reports directly from the model.
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©DesignBuilder
©DesignBuilder