12.1.3 Detailed Models

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  1. Ensure that there are no large gaps in the building enclosure.  This will prevent the Energy Analytical Model (EAM) in Revit from generating successfully.  Mixed Orientations in the Surfaces list often indicates enclosure issues.

  1. In Revit’s Energy Settings, the correct mode for detailed models is ‘Use Conceptual Masses and Building Elements’. Guardian Glass for BIM will change the mode if it is incorrectly set and initiate the Energy Model.   If ‘Use Conceptual Masses’ mode is used for detailed models, the EAM may not generate.
  1. Ensure that Areas and Volumes is set in the Rooms and Areas section in Revit (Architecture Menu – Rooms and Areas – Areas and Volumes Computations).

  1. Ensure that glazing has Thermal Properties set in Revit (Edit Type).  Walls, Floors and Roofs should also have properties set to get complete results.

 

 

  1. When analyzing with Spatial Elements, check that Curtain Walls are placed centrally in Host Walls.  Curtain Walls that are offset from the center-line of the wall may not be included when Surfaces are created and results are compiled with the Spatial Elements method.

    1. Check that element functions are correctly set in the model.  Exterior walls should have ‘Exterior’ functions in Edit TypeInterior Walls should be set to ‘Interior’ function.  Walls which begin as exterior and continue internally should have a break at the boundary and the internal wall should be a separate element and classified as ‘Interior’.

Curtain Walls which are used both on the exterior and interior may need to be duplicated so that a family type can be designated Interior and another as Exterior.  Elements which are incorrectly set may not be included by the application or included incorrectly eg. Internal Curtain Walls may appear as external etc

      1. Avoid overlapping elements such as Walls and Floors.  If you suspect that the model has multiple instances in the same location (such as mullions, curtain panels etc), it might be worth checking for warnings in Revit’s Manage Tab.  The Model Diagnostic Tool on the Welcome Screen may also be used to advise of modeling issues before analysis starts.

      1. Ensure that Wall, Floor and Roof elements are set as ‘Room Bounding’ in Revit if this is appropriate.

      1. Linked files should also be set as ‘Room Bounding’.

      1. To use the Spatial Elements option, place Rooms or Spaces in the Revit model.  Please check the Room schedule for redundant or Non-placed Rooms/Spaces that have been left over.  If Rooms exist in Linked models they will need to be placed in the Host model.

      1. Ensure that Upper extents of Rooms extent to the next slab and are there are no gaps between the room height and the underside of the next slab.

      1.  Ensure that the Room Computation Height is suitable for the project. This may be checked in an elevation or section view in Revit and selecting a Level.  This may be inadvertently offset from a Level.

      1. Avoid Room Separation lines around the perimeter of the model which may interfere with Energy Analysis.

      1. To include the Shading Effect of shading devices (horizontal or vertical), use mass objects or generic shade families.  Self-shading of parts of a building are also factored in when Calculate Shading Factors’ is selected in the Building Manager.   Surrounding objects/Neighboring Buildings are best modeled as mass objects and their shading effect may be included in the results if required.

      1. Stacked Walls may not be read fully (please note if your model has these type of elements).  Support for more complex models is currently in development.
      1. Models that have minimal content  will have improved performance as the application only requires the Envelope and internal walls.  Performance will be improved if the model size is minimal.  Larger complex models will produce results but may take longer since there will be more elements.
      2. Glazing Elements (Curtain Panels or Windows) with nested Revit families may require modification before they can be analyzed with the application.  Curtain Walls where there are different materials comprising the panels may not produce expected Surfaces.  Revit will only allow the assignment of a single analytical property for this element type (while in effect, there may be multiple materials with various thermal properties).

 

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