Proposing a Green Model of a Conventional Building by Evaluating Energy-Efficient Design Alternatives using Autodesk Insight

Abstract

This paper is based on contemporary green infrastructure construction technology, which has a substantial influence on the conservation and appropriate usage of resources such as land, energy, water, air, and material, consequently decreasing the total cost of construction as well as the negative effects of climate change by renovating a conventional building into a green building that uses natural resources to the greatest extent possible during construction and operation. The primary focus of the study is to advance knowledge on the implementation of green concepts in the design of buildings. Green building technology is an umbrella word for any innovation that incorporates natural resources and facilitates economic and social growth. These technologies seek to provide a sustainable product while substantially reducing environmental and ecological concerns. This study will focus on the implementation of new and improved concepts in the design and construction of Conventional buildings in India.

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

The principle of sustainability attempts to raise living standards and provide a healthy environment without endangering the possibilities of the next generation [1]. Sustainable or green buildings also referred to as environmentally friendly buildings, are considered to achieve a number of objectives, including the health of their occupants. improved use of water, energy, and other resources. Reduce your overall environmental impact. an opportunity to develop healthier buildings that enhance human health, provide a better environment, and cut costs while making optimal use of resources. All development initiatives result in an overuse of natural resources. During all phases of a building's existence, including planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition, the phrase "green building" refers to both the physical structure and the application of resource and environmentally-conscious practices.  [2]. Generally speaking, green buildings are regarded as environmental elements. For the purpose of creating a green building, there are various requirements that must be followed, including a Sustainable site, Resources for water, energy, and the environment Resources, materials, and indoor environmental quality [2]. A virtual depiction of a structure's design, construction, and use is known as building information modeling (BIM). BIM is a technology used to mimic the planning, design, execution, and operation of a specific construction project [1]. It creates a 3d visualization of a structure using 3D modeling software that includes all significant information, including architectural plans, structural engineering calculations, and details of building systems and materials. By offering a complete, data-driven approach to building design and construction, BIM aids in the creation of green structures.  By providing a more data-driven, collaborative, and sustainable approach to building design and construction, BIM overall offers a potent tool for producing green structures. It is a powerful software program that concentrates on the layout and description of the input data. The features and tools produced by Autodesk add to Building information modeling (BIM) processes and are supported by Revit Architecture, which was created primarily for architects and other building industry professionals [1]. Green BIM refers to the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the design of long-lasting, energy-efficient, and ecologically responsible structures. Utilizing digital technologies and techniques to improve a building's design, construction, and operation in order to reduce its environmental impact, green BIM integrates principles of sustainability into the BIM process. Retrofitting is the process of enhancing an existing structure's usability, performance, or efficiency. This could involve improving the building's insulation, heating and cooling systems, windows, elevators, and other features to improve safety, comfort, and longevity. Retrofitting is done to increase a building's efficiency, minimize its environmental effect, and increase its lifecycle. In general, converting a conventional structure into a green structure is crucial for lowering environmental impact, enhancing health and comfort indoors, and raising property value.

II. METHODOLOGY

Autodesk Revit is a software application that is primarily used for building information modeling (BIM). In order to produce construction documentation, schedules, and other products, it enables architects, engineers, and construction experts to develop 3D models of buildings and structures.

Autodesk Insight is a tool that works in tandem with Revit and other Autodesk software. It gives architects, engineers, and designers a way to conduct energy and environmental analyses on their building concepts. Insight assists architects and designers in optimizing the energy efficiency and sustainability of their building designs by simulating variables like energy usage, daylighting, and thermal performance.

B. Software used

1. AutoCAD: AutoCAD is an Autodesk computer-aided design (CAD) software application. Drawings and models in 2D and 3D are the main uses of it. Using a variety of tools and features like lines, shapes, text, dimensions, and layers, AutoCAD enables users to produce accurate and detailed drawings and models. The 2D plan of the conventional building at Kashmere Gate in Delhi was created using AutoCAD.
2. Autodesk Revit Architecture-2022: Using Autodesk Revit, a potent building information modeling (BIM) software program, a 3D model of the conventional building was created.
3. Autodesk Insight Plugin: Users can run an energy analysis on their Revit models by installing the Autodesk Insight plugin within Revit. Users of Insight can assess the energy efficiency of their building designs and optimize them for it. Autodesk insight was used to conduct a building energy analysis of both the conventional building and the proposed building.

Prior to determining the baseline model's energy consumption, an energy model for the baseline model has to be built. The Insight plugin for Revit is used to calculate energy consumption. The baseline model is found to have an annual energy consumption of 372 kWh/m2/year. The benchmark comparison shows that the baseline model has a somewhat high energy usage. Energy Usage Intensity (EUI), which is measured in kWh/m2 annually, is used to express energy use. A building's energy use intensity is determined by dividing its entire built-up floor area by the total energy it uses in a given year [1]. A suggested model is created once the baseline model's design parameters have been modified, and the energy of the proposed model is then determined using the Autodesk Revit Insight Plugin. Energy use for the proposed models is 132 kWh/m2/year. The benchmark comparison shows that the suggested model has a medium level of energy usage.

F. Design Parameters

1)  Window Wall Ratio – Western Walls:

The interplay between the window characteristics that affect the building's day illumination, heating, and cooling is represented by the window wall ratio  [1]. The window-to-wall ratio (WWR) measures how much of the outside wall surface area is glazed (made up of windows) and has an impact on a number of architectural characteristics, including the size of the window defines the physical and visual link to the outside and establishes the environmental effects of the usage of the materials [3]. The bedroom's increased window-to-wall ratio causes more heat to be gained from solar radiation than it is lost via the windows. But, if the window-wall ratio rises over a certain point, the heat loss via the window would exceed the heat gain from solar radiation  [4].

Conclusion

Using the Autodesk Revit Insight plugin, energy simulations are run on the model in order to convert the conventional building model into a green building model. The proposed model\'s design parameters were compared with those of the baseline model. Based on the findings, it is evident that the proposed green building model uses less energy than the baseline conventional building model. We would come to the conclusion that this approach to building energy analysis utilizing Autodesk Revit and Autodesk insight serves as the most effective and cutting-edge way for helping designers, architects, and engineers weigh various design possibilities at the conceptual stage of a structure.

References

[1] Amit Maurya, Ravinder Kumar, Ujjwal Bharadwaj, Paritosh Rawat, Mukul Kumar, Sustainable Building Design: Energy Analysis of a Residential Building using Autodesk Revit, 2nd International Conference on Intelligent Engineering and Management (ICIEM), 2021: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352145459_Sustainable_Building_Design_Energy_Analysis_of_a_Residential_Building_using_AutodeskRevit [2] A.Faizuneesa, S.P Kanniyappan, Akshita Mucherla, Sumanaswinaidu, Jayashree, Study And Implementation Of Green Building Using BIM And Primavera, Journal of Xidian University,2022:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358277950_STUDY_AND_IMPLEMENTATION_OF_GREEN_BUILDING_USING_BIM_AND_PRIMAVERA [3] Luke Troupa, Robert Phillipsa, Matthew J. Eckelmana, and David Fannon, Effect of Window-to-Wall Ratio on Measured Energy Consumption in US Office Buildings, Elsevier, 2019:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378778819307509#:~:text=As%20WWR%20increases%2C%20the%20median,generally%20use%20more%20total%20energy. [4] Qiaoxia Yang, Meng Liu, Chang Shu, Daniel Mmereki, Md. Uzzal Hossain, Xiang Zhan, Impact Analysis of Window-Wall Ratio on Heating and Cooling Energy Consumption of Residential Buildings in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Zone in China, Journal of Engineering, 2015: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286524331_Impact_Analysis_of_Window-Wall_Ratio_on_Heating_and_Cooling_Energy_Consumption_of_Residential_Buildings_in_Hot_Summer_and_Cold_Winter_Zone_in_China [5] Ahmed Atef Faggal, Abeer Mohamed Moustafa, Mohamed Yasser Arafat, Effect Of Different Windows’ Glazing Types On Energy Consumption Of A Residential Building In A Hot-Arid Climate, Journal of Engineering Sciences Assiut University, 2019: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346066247_EFFECT_OF_DIFFERENT_WINDOWS\'_GLAZING_TYPES_ON_ENERGY_CONSUMPTION_OF_A_RESIDENTIAL_BUILDING_IN_A_HOT-ARID_CLIMATE_Case_Study_Residential_Building_in_New_Cairo_City [6] Kirankumar Gorantla, Saboor Shaik, Ashok Babu Talanki Puttaranga Setty, Effects of Single, Double, Triple, and Quadruple Window Glazing of Various Glass Materials on Heat Gain in Green Energy Buildings, Materials, Energy and Environment Engineering. Springer, Singapore, 2017: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-10-2675-1_5 [7] Services, Applied Roofing, Switch to PVC Roofing for Eco-friendly and Durable Roofing, April 2021: https://www.appliedroofingservices.com/blog/pvc-roofing-for-commercial-roofing-solutions [8] Paul Torcellini, Eric Bonnema, Michael Sheppy, and Shanti Pless, Strategies for Controlling Plug Loads: A Tool for Reducing Plug Loads in Commercial Buildings, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2015: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy15osti/63736.pdf [9] Hui, Sam C M, HVAC design and operation for green buildings, Shaanxi-Hong Kong Refrigeration and HVAC Seminar, 2001: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228606734_HVAC_design_and_operation_for_green_buildings

Copyright

Copyright © 2023 Harshita Kumar, Ekta Dwivedi, Rishabh Deep Yadav, Tanya Kapoor. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.