Bi-directional Inference in Thermal Design (1996)
article⁄Bi-directional Inference in Thermal Design (1996)
abstract⁄This paper demonstrates a computational bidirectional energy modeling approach for building design development. Conventional simulation tools may be labeled as monodirectional in that they require a more or Iess complete design definition in order to derive performance indicators. However, in certain circumstances, it may be desirable to reverse this process a bidirectional or ‘open’ inference mechanism would allow for the identification of those changes in the design variables that would accommodate a desired change in a performance indicator. The performancetodesign mapping process is an ambiguous one the same performance e.g. energy use of a building, temperature variations in a space may be achieved by different design configurations various wall and window dimensionsproperties, building orientationmassing, etc.. As a result, the actual implementation of a bidirectional inference tool is a rather difficult task. The development described in this paper utilizes a preferencebased approach that involves the formalization of various external or internal constraints and preferences such as code and standard requirements, results of postoccupancy studies, individual priorities of designers and their clients, etc. in terms of normalized numeric scales.After a brief review of the underlying technology for the implementation of the inference engine, the paper demonstrates an actual design session using a bidirectional thermal simulation tool. Specifically, a usescenario is described in which the designer explores the tradeoffs between various design variables glazing area, glazing type, and floor mass in view of the resulting energy performance of a typical residential building. The paper concludes with a discussion of the potential and limitations of the bidirectional approach toward active convergence support for performanceoriented design development.
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| Year |
1996 |
| Authors |
Mahdavi, A.; Mathew, P.; Hartkopf, V.; Loftness, V. |
| Issue |
Design Computation: Collaboration, Reasoning, Pedagogy |
| Pages |
133-143 |
| Library link |
Patricia McIntosh & Filiz Ozel, 1996. bib⁄Design Computation: Collaboration, Reasoning, Pedagogy. ACADIA. |
| Entry filename |
bi-directional-inference-thermal-design |
