Question-and-Answer Resource for the Building Energy Modeling Community
 | 1 | initial version |
I'm assuming you've used the Contam3DExporter to generate your IDF file. As indicated in the CONTAM documentation (quoted below), you must modify this IDF file to incorporate the energy related components of the building. This includes the design loads and other items that the CONTAM paradigm does not incorporate, e.g., "Design day information".
That said, you could run a building pressurization test with your CONTAM model to determine the envelope leakage or simply run simulations at desired conditions to obtain an air change rate and use that information to populate the ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate object.
EnergyPlus-CONTAM Coupling Process
...Modify IDF File The IDF file generated by CONTAM3DExport contains the building geometry, surface materials and constructions, air loops, exhaust fans and partial external interface objects as described above. However, the file will not include the HVAC components associated with the generation or removal of energy, e.g., heating/cooling coils, internal gains, and thermostats. The IDF file can now be edited using the IDF Editor or other text-based editor to add the desired HVAC system components. The IDF file can also be viewed and edited using tools such as SketchUp with the OpenStudio plug-in [Gugliemetti 2011, NREL 2015]. This is useful to modify the rectangular elements that are created by CONTAM3DExport, for example to modify roofs to have sloped surfaces and to add shading components to the building.
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| | 2 | No.2 Revision |
I'm assuming you've used the Contam3DExporter to generate your IDF file. As indicated in the CONTAM documentation (quoted below), you must modify this IDF file to incorporate the energy related components of the building. This includes the design loads and other items that the CONTAM paradigm does not incorporate, e.g., "Design day information".
That said, you could run a building pressurization test with your CONTAM model to determine the envelope leakage or simply run simulations at desired conditions to obtain an air change rate and use that information to populate the ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate object.
EnergyPlus-CONTAM Coupling Process
...Modify IDF File The IDF file generated by CONTAM3DExport contains the building geometry, surface materials and constructions, air loops, exhaust fans and partial external interface objects as described above. However, the file will not include the HVAC components associated with the generation or removal of energy, e.g., heating/cooling coils, internal gains, and thermostats. The IDF file can now be edited using the IDF Editor or other text-based editor to add the desired HVAC system components. The IDF file can also be viewed and edited using tools such as SketchUp with the OpenStudio plug-in [Gugliemetti 2011, NREL 2015]. This is useful to modify the rectangular elements that are created by CONTAM3DExport, for example to modify roofs to have sloped surfaces and to add shading components to the building.
...
| | 3 | No.3 Revision |
I'm assuming you've used the Contam3DExporter to generate your IDF file. As indicated in the CONTAM documentation (quoted below), you must modify this IDF file to incorporate the energy related components of the building. This includes the design loads and other items that the CONTAM paradigm does not incorporate, e.g., "Design day information".
The Zone Infiltration is calculated by CONTAM during the co-simulation and will override any values set for the ZoneInfiltration:DesignFlowRate object.
EnergyPlus-CONTAM Coupling Process
...Modify IDF File The IDF file generated by CONTAM3DExport contains the building geometry, surface materials and constructions, air loops, exhaust fans and partial external interface objects as described above. However, the file will not include the HVAC components associated with the generation or removal of energy, e.g., heating/cooling coils, internal gains, and thermostats. The IDF file can now be edited using the IDF Editor or other text-based editor to add the desired HVAC system components. The IDF file can also be viewed and edited using tools such as SketchUp with the OpenStudio plug-in [Gugliemetti 2011, NREL 2015]. This is useful to modify the rectangular elements that are created by CONTAM3DExport, for example to modify roofs to have sloped surfaces and to add shading components to the building.
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