Space Boundary Tool

Space Boundary Tool (SBT-1) is a standalone tool for processing validated IFC files for the purposes of BEM. This tool contains two sub processes, the first of which adds space boundaries to the validated IFC file The second sub process simplifies the IFC file with Space Boundaries for the purposes of BEM and converts the geometry to a format for use by whole building energy simulation tools, e.g. an .idf file in EnergyPlus.

The current version of SBT, posted for free download of the executable, has been frozen and its further development and support are suspended as of August 1, 2014. Work on SBT will resume when the necessary funding for the planned enhancements and support becomes again available.

References

Rose, C.M. and V. Bazjanac, 2013. "An algorithm to generate space boundaries for building energy simulation". Engineering with Computers. An International Journal for Simulation-Based Engineering DOI 10.1007/s00366-013-0347-5, ISSN 0177-0667.

Bazjanac, Vladimir. "Space Boundary Requirements for Modeling of Building Geometry for Energy and Other Performance Simulation." In CIB W78: 27th International Conference. Cairo, Egypt., 2010.

Bazjanac, Vladimir. "Implementation of semi-automated energy performance simulation: building geometry." In Proc. 26th conf., Managing IT in Construction. Istanbul, TK 595-602: In Dikbas, A., E. Ergen and H. Giritli (eds.), .. CRC Press, 2009.

Bazjanac, Vladimir. "IFC BIM-Based Methodology for Semi-Automated Building Energy Performance Simulation." In 25th International Workshop by CIB W78 Computer Integrated Construction: Improving the Management of Construction Projects Through IT Adoption, Santiago De Chile, July 15 to 17, 2008., 2008.

J. O'Donnell, T. Maile, C. Rose, N. Mrazovic, E. Morrissey, K. Parrish, C. Regnier, and V. Bazjanac. "Transforming BIM to BEM: Generation of Building Geometry for the NASA Ames Sustainability Base BIM." Technical Report. Berkeley, CA: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, January 2013. [PDF]