A problem that often arises in building design is the determination of the design parameters related to the different aspects of the design (e.g., thermal performance characteristics, costs, indoor climate, aesthetics, etc.). A tool to assess the overall performance of the building is necessary to provide indicators for designers and contractors on the potential performance of a building or its retrofit. An important part of such a tool is its ability to perform optimization of buildings or parts thereof, taking into account their life-cycle cost and their life-cycle performance. A method is developed that optimizes the building design based on life-cycle cost and indoor climate. Environmental impact and working environment are not included in the evaluation at this stage. The method is implemented in a tool that evaluates the building design within boundaries set up by the designer using a database containing information on different building components and systems. Life-cycle costs are based on net present value calculations.

Authors: Claus Rudbeck, Ph.D.; Toke R. Nielsen; Svend Svendsen

Citation: Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings VIII

Keywords: December, Florida, 2001