[Equest-users] Modifying Geometry

[Nick Caton]

Omar,

 

The task at hand is definitely not as crazy-hard as it may seem.  [edit:
Perhaps if I write a long enough response it will seem difficult?
Haha...]

 

The key is to have a general understanding of the "tiered" relationship
between surfaces/windows, spaces, zones and systems.  Here's a
walkthrough:

 

-          Conceptually, I'd first jump to the component tree under the
"building shell" tab, and modify the existing space (to be split)
dimensions, loads, and any surfaces (partitions, exterior walls,
windows, etc.) to be one of the smaller halves.  Just go through every
window for the space in the component tree and modify everything as
appropriate.  Be sure to modify the loads there as appropriate
(occupancy and so on).

-          It'd be smart at this point to name that zone something
recognizable if it's currently "wizard-crypto-babble," for easier
identification.

-          Then I'd jump to the Airside HVAC tab to find the
corresponding zone, which should remain associated with your modified
space, and fly through that zone's window to make any adjustments
necessary.  I'd also rename this for easy identification if you haven't
already.

-          Then do the same for the system the zone is tied to, if you
are going to need to "split" the system serving the zone (if it's going
to be served by the same system you shouldn't need to do much of
anything).

-          With all this set up, you will have a "hole" in your
building.  Jump back to the Shell tab and copy the modified zone (right
click, create a new space, copy existing component, select your zone).
This will make everything identical.  If you are literally splitting the
zone in two without any changes to the loads and such, you 're done
here, otherwise modify areas/child components (surfaces and such)/loads
as necessary.

-          Jump to the airside tab, right click under the appropriate
system, and create a new zone.  Give it a clever name also.  You'll be
prompted to select an unassigned space after choosing to "copy an
existing component" (your easily-recognizable renamed and modified
zone).  Choose the only unassigned space you probably have (the new
one).

-          Create a system in the same manner, again only if necessary,
and again modify if it isn't to be an exact copy.  If the new zone is
under the same system as the old large zone, just be sure it's assigned
to the right system (it will be obvious from the component tree if it's
in the wrong place).

 

Before you start this sort of task for the first time, it may be wise to
first read up on and understand what it means to "link" a component
(instead of copying) - it may turn out to be a time/stress saver for you
depending on your current situation.

 

As to zones/spaces lying "outside" the building, recognize it may likely
be a non-issue in terms of the modeled behavior.  If there are no
exterior surfaces, it really doesn't matter as long as everything is
associated correctly (i.e. west interior wall is tied to the correct
space or vice versa).  If there are exterior surfaces, just be sure to
think about self-shading effects and reposition to where it should
receive the intended shading behavior with respect to the building
itself and any exterior shades.  Elevation (z-coordinate) is something
to verify also, as I suspect that factors into some infiltration calcs
(not personally sure of it, but this is simple to verify). 

 

If you still want to position a rogue-zone back into the building (for
aesthetic reasons or you otherwise feel it's necessary for accuracy),
then you'll need to determine exactly where it needs to move in the
model - hopefully you've kept a copy of the CAD file used to trace the
zones and such, and hopefully you've picked up the habit of always using
x=0,y=0 for origin when importing a CAD file to trace, or can otherwise
backtrack to figure out what you did use...  resolving this task is
simply going to require some self-investigation into your files and
records.

 

~Nick

 

 

 

NICK CATON, E.I.T.

PROJECT ENGINEER

25501 west valley parkway

olathe ks 66061

direct 913 344.0036

fax 913 345.0617

Check out our new web-site @ www.smithboucher.com 

 

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Omar
Katanani
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 9:46 AM
To: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: [Equest-users] Modifying Geometry

 

 

Dear all,

Once again, another problem!

I have several spaces which were geometrically modified in the design.
For example, a room that was split into two different ones; with each
room being a different hvac zone. How can I possibly split a room into
two zones "1" and "2"? Shall I modify the geometry of the old zone to be
that of zone "1", and then add another zone "2" from scratch? If this is
what should be done, how can I do this accurately?

Attached is the polygon view of one of my floors. When you look at them
in 2-D or 3-D views, the building seems perfect in shape. Notice the
rectangle to the left of the picture! This is actually a zone that lies
inside the building. But it appears like this in polygon view. I think
it is some problem of coordinate references or so!
So when I need to modify the geometry according to coordinates of
vertices, I'm suffering!

Many thanks!
Omar

___________________________

Omar Katanani
Sustainable Design Engineer
Email: omar at ecoconsulting.net


EcoConsulting (Lebanon)
Nahas Building, 4th floor
4 St-Maron Street / Georges Haddad Avenue
Postal Code: 2028 5806 SAIFI
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel:       +961 (0) 1 971 255
Mobile:    +961 (0) 3 045 045


EcoConsulting (UK) Ltd
28 Marshalsea Road
London, SE1 1HF
Tel: +44 (0)207 939 0989
Fax: +44 (0)207 939 0981
Website: www.ecoconsulting.net



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