Extract

The drive to improve environmental design standards while maintaining stringent comfort
controls and project delivery within time and budget constraints demands improved techniques for the
analysis and rapid-feedback of the impact that design decisions will have on these criteria. This paper
outlines the development and implementation of a new tool for building simulation and analysis at the
early design stages. The tool utilises existing open-source and freely-available technologies through a
BIM framework to create a cost-efficient, scalable, multi-physics, unified three-dimensional modelling
environment for computational fluid dynamics (CFD), thermal energy modelling, day-lighting, shading
and life-cycle analysis from early concept design stages.

The tool extends the functionality of an open-source three-dimensional modelling and animation tool to
allow users to enter or import building information, constructions and other boundary conditions
relevant to scientific analysis of building design from within a single modelling environment. Results
from a case study on the application of the tool are presented which demonstrate the robustness and
flexibility of the modelling framework.

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