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modelling from plans

asked 2014-11-10 10:16:04 -0600

Waseem's avatar

updated 2017-05-03 19:18:12 -0600

Hello All, I am trying to model a building in OpenStudio. The plan is given, my question is from where shall I start my zone boundaries? Shall I select the outside line of the wall in plan or the inside line (the outside and inside lines represent the thickness of the wall)?

Thanks in advance.

Kindest Regards Muhammad

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answered 2014-11-10 10:49:11 -0600

When working with thick wall plans you are probably fine if you pick outside, inside or middle, but for best practice, you should use the outside edge of exterior walls, and the middle/centerline for interior walls. Here are links to two videos on the subject. While most people don't think about it this same logic would apply to floors and ceilings, but it is rare that I have ever seen a model where the interior floor location represents the middle of the floor construction, typically I see the finished floor as the modeled location, probably so the relationship between the windows/doors and the floor are in sync.

This video shows you how to model from plans

And this video continues on the same model to model fenestration from elevations

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These rules are good for most light and medium construction, but if you are modeling a building with very thick masonry walls, then you should use middle for the exterior walls in order to have the correct amount of thermal mass.

MJWitte's avatar MJWitte  ( 2014-11-20 16:59:31 -0600 )edit
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answered 2014-11-10 11:04:14 -0600

You've imported a thick wall model? Or you are creating a new OpenStudio model from drawings that you have? If the former, you need to zone to the outer wall so that shading devices are attached and positioned properly. If the latter, than you can do whatever you want. If you use inner wall, then your areas and volumes will be more accurate, but your exterior surface areas and (self) shading will be less accurate. And conversely.

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By the way, the captcha for this was 1408. Creepy!

__AmirRoth__'s avatar __AmirRoth__  ( 2014-11-10 11:04:37 -0600 )edit

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Asked: 2014-11-10 10:16:04 -0600

Seen: 607 times

Last updated: Nov 11 '14