I have to start modelling a complete building (model of existing building) for IES VE in Revit. Can anyone guide me if there are any particular issues related to modelling in Revit to be later exported in IES VE. I would like to know before I start, so as to avoid problems.
How much detail should be added in the Revit model, as I also hear that most of the things have to be re-done in IES VE. Can anyone give me a heads-up on that?
I have to match the performance of this building model, of a corporate office, with existing before anything else.
Thanks.
Modelling in Revit for IES VE
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Complex Potential
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Re: Modelling in Revit for IES VE
I'll admit it has been a while since I tried, but my attempts at importing architectural Revit models into IES have been less than successful. Architects do not build "IES friendly" Revit models and so you often spend as much time fixing them as you would have taken to build from scratch directly in IES.
Also, when you say "match the performance of this building with existing", do you mean you are actually attempting to create a model which matches with recorded meter readings? This is never easy and sometimes impossible since real buildings do not work on nice repeating weekly patterns and the level of detail you would need about the existing systems often is not available. Of course you can keep fiddling around with profiles and efficiencies until you get a match but it won't do you much good going forwards.
Sometimes you should take a step back and think about exactly what you are attempting to achieve and whether there is a better way of doing it.
For example, if a client wants to know how much money on energy bills a refirb is going to save them annual, even the best computer model is only going to provide a rough approximation. What happens when the first year's readings come back and it's higher by 50% because they left their windows open all night in the winter? Are you accountable for that extra money?
To combat this we must plaster our reports with caveats but that returns us to the question of the worth of attempting to match reality with our models. I always make clear that my models are simplicifations and are to aid with comparative studies only; this system is more appropriate than that one, this building is heavily influenced by lighting controls, these rooms need mechanical cooling etc. I don't ever suggest that a model can accurately predict the future, because it can't.
Also, when you say "match the performance of this building with existing", do you mean you are actually attempting to create a model which matches with recorded meter readings? This is never easy and sometimes impossible since real buildings do not work on nice repeating weekly patterns and the level of detail you would need about the existing systems often is not available. Of course you can keep fiddling around with profiles and efficiencies until you get a match but it won't do you much good going forwards.
Sometimes you should take a step back and think about exactly what you are attempting to achieve and whether there is a better way of doing it.
For example, if a client wants to know how much money on energy bills a refirb is going to save them annual, even the best computer model is only going to provide a rough approximation. What happens when the first year's readings come back and it's higher by 50% because they left their windows open all night in the winter? Are you accountable for that extra money?
To combat this we must plaster our reports with caveats but that returns us to the question of the worth of attempting to match reality with our models. I always make clear that my models are simplicifations and are to aid with comparative studies only; this system is more appropriate than that one, this building is heavily influenced by lighting controls, these rooms need mechanical cooling etc. I don't ever suggest that a model can accurately predict the future, because it can't.
Re: Modelling in Revit for IES VE
Thank you. I know that matching building simulation with real is almost impossible, but Im doing this for my research so I guess I have to be the client as well (or my thesis committee). I decided against modeling in Revit, so now I am starting in IES directly.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Re: Modelling in Revit for IES VE
this is a bit late but we pulled together info that hopefully you found on our website already via the Knowledge Base? If you (or your architect) work to these guidelines you should find you get a pretty good geometry import to VE.
Incidentally the development team are currently working on further improvements to the imports from the likes of gbXML, IFC etc so this is an area you should find improving further.
feedback@iesve.com would be interested to receive feedback on what works and what doesn't work with imports currently, feel free to pass on example models as well so we can see what you are trying to do.
http://www.iesve.com/support/knowledgebase/faq/3051
Phil
Incidentally the development team are currently working on further improvements to the imports from the likes of gbXML, IFC etc so this is an area you should find improving further.
feedback@iesve.com would be interested to receive feedback on what works and what doesn't work with imports currently, feel free to pass on example models as well so we can see what you are trying to do.
http://www.iesve.com/support/knowledgebase/faq/3051
Phil
IES Worldwide Technical Support