Question-and-Answer Resource for the Building Energy Modeling Community
Get started with the Help page
Ask Your Question
2

Partially underground floor with Open studio + Sketchup plugin.

asked 2026-02-05 05:01:26 -0500

shebe's avatar

updated 2026-02-09 10:09:33 -0500

Hi, is there a way how to simulate cooling load of partially underground floor? You know what I mean a bunker-like residential building with a lot of windows in just one wall heading to the south (or SE, SW...). Can I do it with cooperation with sketchup plugin and Openstudio?

edit retag flag offensive close merge delete

1 Answer

Sort by ยป oldest newest most voted
1

answered 2026-02-09 09:56:18 -0500

It sounds like you are referring to a walkout basement. The best model in EnergyPlus for this foundation type is Kiva. In fact, if you look at its inputs, it specifically describes how to model a walkout basement using multiple Kiva foundation objects with stepped wall surfaces.

image description

image description

Unfortunately, the OpenStudio Application does not support Kiva right now, so you would need to:

  1. Add the Kiva inputs directly to the EnergyPlus IDF input file, or
  2. Use the OpenStudio SDK to programmatically add the Kiva inputs
edit flag offensive delete link more

Comments

Generating KIVA inputs can be done in OpenStudio using the TBD measure (see UMH post). Manual editing of some of the generated parameters is likely required, as described in the post.

Denis Bourgeois's avatar Denis Bourgeois  ( 2026-02-09 14:05:44 -0500 )edit

Your Answer

Please start posting anonymously - your entry will be published after you log in or create a new account.

Add Answer

Training Workshops

Question Tools

1 follower

Stats

Asked: 2026-02-05 05:01:26 -0500

Seen: 85 times

Last updated: Feb 09