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Handling mezzanine in OpenStudio Geometry

asked 2026-01-29 16:22:20 -0500

TTQI_ML's avatar

updated 2026-02-09 10:28:53 -0500

Hi,

In OpenStudio, I've imported a gbXML file with a geometry built using a modeling software (not SketchUp). All the surfaces and constructions have been imported without flaws. However, in the building, there is a warehouse section where a mezzanine is located above the office spaces. The mezzanine have been paired with the warehouse space so as to create a single zone. As a result, the warehouse wall and floor surfaces, along with the surfaces composing the mezzanine, are considered ''non-convex'' in OpenStudio. Will this zone construction generate issues with the OS simulation down the line? If so, how can I build the zone without causing some non-convex surfaces?

Screenshots from the OpenStudio 3D View will be added leter for further information if required.

Thanks.

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answered 2026-02-09 14:36:27 -0500

Jamie Sullivan's avatar

Surfaces and zones being non-convex isn't really a problem, and indeed is perfectly normal - it's hard to avoid unless you have very simple geometry. The main thing it affects is that you cannot set the solar distribution to FullInteriorAndExteriorWithReflections and that's fine. FullExteriorWithReflections typically leads to very similar results with the simpler internal solar radiation distribution assumptions, and if you have a situation where interior solar distribution is really important you can always try out the PixelCounting shadow calculation algorithm instead which is more flexible.

The bigger thing to be aware of is that EnergyPlus assumes that all air in a zone is evenly mixed, and really has trouble capturing the kinds of temperature differences you can get on mezzanine floors from heat rising etc.

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Asked: 2026-01-29 16:22:20 -0500

Seen: 100 times

Last updated: Feb 18