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Then, describe your design inspirations and big feature ideas using text , images, web links, movies... Whatever media works best to express your ideas!
ember of the teaching team to review your progress and share tips about how to proceed.
Overall HVAC System Strategy
My building’s capacity can take 319 visitors (based on the feedback from the teaching team, my original number of people is 1200, but I reduced it to a reasonable number of people). My total system load is around 750000 Btu/h (commercial building loads per SF is around 45 Btu). I assume this consumption is reasonable. I will continue to reduce the number of people in each space. I think 319 people's capacity is reasonable if it is a peak number.
I adjusted the number of people at each space
The spaces were grouped as zones
Level 1: North, South, Hallway
Level 2: West, East, Atrium
My mechanical room is located on the north side of the building (avoid the sun), and there are two levels (I may use one of the levels for the electric room). I used Air Handler Unit Vertical Package DX 12.5 25 tons.
Schematic for the enenrgy report
Space Schedule
There are total 47 spaces, and several spaces are unconditioned.
Level 1
For supply and return air supply. I used two main ducts to supply the air delivery. My zone was divided into two parts: north and south, and hallway. The supply air main duct was 20’’ x 15’’, 12’ from level 1, return duct was also 20’’ x 15’’, 10’ 9’’ from level 1. The air terminal 24’’ x 24” was used. For the atrium area, I tried to use a direct air terminal (I did not find fit terminals, and I sued side terminal temporarily).
Level 1 Plan
VAV Controllers at important locations
I also installed a single duct VAV unit at some important locations so that each zone can request different air volumes. For level 2, I only installed the controller at the private office, and other spaces are controlled by two central systems shown below (they can adjust the flow for the entire spaces)
Level 2 Central Controllers
Level 2
I used a similar air delivery way to the airport since the space of the level is quite large. I also designed hanging terminals on the roof to deliver the air. Furthermore, I designed the duct surrounding the second-level space since the hanging terminals can deliver the most of air. In the future, I may need to consider the structure system for the hanging terminals.
Hanging Terminals at Level 2
Wind Trend at the building site
Natural Ventilation
The west wind can ventilate the building atrium from westside windows, and exit from main gate, sky window, and east window. In this way, we can reduce the summer cooling loads
Inside view
Level 2 Hangling HVAC system
Level 2 Private Office
Level 1 Lobby HVAC
Level 1 Exhibition 1
Level 1 Restroom
Level 1 Edu Room
Loads Summary Pie Chart (319 people)
Heating strategy and how you implemented it in your design
My heating load is around 330000 Btu/h which is half of the cooling loads. Since I only used the conservative insulation and materials from my energy schematic setting. If I use more insulated materials, the loads can reduce to a lower number (construction costs increased since we used nice materials). People can produce some amount of heat during winter, so as lighting, and natural solar. Hence, the heating demands can be met by the HVAC system.
In addition, I design some curtain walls in the south and shade. So, solar energy can penetrate the window to heat the space up. Then, the rest of the heating can be compensated by the HVAC system (circulating hot water, maybe generating some additional cost).
Total Loads Summary
Cooling strategy and how you implemented it
The cooling load is around 750,000 Btu/h, which is relatively large. Most of the consumption comes from people, equipment, and lights. Then, I reduce the number of people to 165. The summary is listed below which I think it is reasonable for the exhibition center.
Overall, my cooling strategy is to use natural ventilation, thermal mass floor, and material to absorb the heat from the day, and they will release the heat. I will also add fans on my level roof to ventilate the air at the atrium.
Adjustment of Cooling and Heating Loads (165 people)
Energy Schematic Summary
Loads Summary (165 people)
Any special HVAC system challenges encountered
It is quite hard to create turning ducts and connect them with certain angles. I spend most of time fitting the ducts for my roof, air handlers.
I also wanted to find a relevant air terminal for my designs rather than using the standard one.
It is hard to calibrate the energy models to be very accurate because some building elements’ resolution is not uniform.