Can you guarantee that the completed building will match the performance predicted by the analysis in its day-to-day operations?
Most things in construction, usability, and operability cannot be absolutely guaranteed by analysis. There are unforeseen variables that may cause changes during construction which does affect the outcome of performance compared to the model. Analyses also make a lot of assumptions, so it’s not like the analysis are 100% accurate about every detail of the design. That’s why a lot of people make models post-construction to get a better representation of the building and you can also track performance post-construction.
When choosing settings for each of the building performance factors, should you always choose the setting that gives the absolute lowest predicted energy use?
When choosing settings for each of the building performance factors, you don’t always choose the setting that gives the absolute lowest predicted energy use. There could be tradeoffs like aesthetic choice or cost. Ultimately, owners and key stakeholders have to consider their budget and keeping energy costs down can be quite expensive. For example, more expensive windows with certain glazing can reduce energy use but may not be chosen. That’s why it’s really important to have designers and engineers (in this case energy/thermal engineers) consult the clients about their key objectives. If reducing energy use is a key objective, then those building performance factors make sense. But if the architecture is more important than they allocate more money to those features rather than energy use.
4D simulations are often used to show the construction sequence for an entire project, but shorter simulations that focus on a specific period of time are also useful.
The construction sequence for an entire project is helpful to get an overall timeline for the project. Having short simulations that focus on a specific period of time is really beneficial if there’s a unique aspect of the project. One examples that would benefit from a shorter simulation is the excavation process for a basement or underground component of a building. The excavation and shoring process, as well as, the assembly of falsework would really help contractors and laborers visualize their work. Having the simulation as a resource may even help them reconsider the order in which they were going to assemble the building underground which can decrease costs and labor efforts.