Is there any tool out there that let the user visualize the airflow between the zones using the results of EnergyPlus run? We are doing some studies for naturally ventilated buildings and are looking for a way to visualize the airflow between the zones for different alternatives.
Using ipython, eppy and paraview, I have had some success visualising this sort of thing. http://mde.maddog.webfactional.com/en...
The link shows visulaisation of the external pressure. To adapt the method to show airflow between zones would require some creative thinking. How do you imagine the airflow is visualised ? Through openings as a volumetric flow ? or as a scalar flow along a cutplane ? or maybe as a vector ?
Hi. I'm thinking of some colored vectors for each opening which can also be mapped on top of the surface itself.
The mapping of the scalar flow variable from the energyplus results to the visualisation of the opening in parview (colour mapping onto opening surface) would be straightforward with the code I have pointed to. Mapping vectors might require extending the code to write a vector quantity to the vtp file. As it is, it only handles scalar quantities. I say might because this step could be done in paraview. The method would require some skills with python and paraview. Its not as user friendly as say a built in tool in a program like Design Builder. Happy to help understanding/getting started if you choose to go that way.
Thanks. I will give it a try then and update this thread. Wanted to make sure that I am not re-inventing the wheel.
You could also model the building in CONTAM (http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/IAQanalysis/...) which the airflow visualization is built into the user interface.
Check this tool out:
https://www.ods-engineering.com/tools...
He has really good visualization capabilities.
I use an interface of Energy Plus (Design Builder). Design Builder includes an internal calculation engine for CFD calculations. You can export the airflownetwork results and radiant temperature results of E+, and use them as limit condition inputs. Then you can make a CFD simulation and can view Airflow between zones in EnergyPlus.
Asked: 2014-09-09 09:19:17 -0600
Seen: 1,091 times
Last updated: Jan 26 '17
