[Equest-users] Maximum spaces/zones in v 3.63?

[James Hansen]

Thanks Pasha - I forgot to mention that the building I am modeling takes up an entire city block in DC.  Hence the large number of zones.  I've definitely cut it down to as few zones as I can without potentially sacrificing results.

 

For reference, this was what Jeff Hirsch sent around about v3.37.  I'm assuming it's the same for v3.63, and it looks like you can now model 4000 spaces and 4000 zones (hopefully).

 

I was just wondering if anyone had evidence that this is the case:

 

For AutoCAD import and trace around (or just manually created floor plans,

spaces, or surfaces) the maximum number of vertices in 120.  This version

also allows up to 4000 spaces and 8000 each for exterior walls, windows and

2000 air-side HVAC systems.  A 1440 space run (with 792 exterior walls and 372

windows, 672 ground coupled surfaces, 4080 interior walls, 648 building shades, 720 air-side

AHU's) runs through BDL in 90 seconds and completes a year simulation, including

detail output reports, in just under 51 minutes on a Dell PWS450 (2.66GHz IX

processor and 1GB RAM) running Windows XP-Pro.  This model (a 14 building campus)

was created with the new muti-shell, muti-HVAC Design Development wizard in 

less than an hour; of course the use of custom footprints and adjustments to space and

HVAC details (needed to represent a final design) will add substantial information collection

and eQUEST input time.

 

GHT Limited
James Hansen, PE, LEED AP

Senior Associate

1010 N. Glebe Rd, Suite 200

Arlington, VA  22201-4749

703-338-5754 (Cell)

703-243-1200 (Office)

703-276-1376 (Fax)

www.ghtltd.com <http://www.ghtltd.com/> 

 

 

From: Pasha Korber-Gonzalez [mailto:pasha.pkconsulting at gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 2:35 PM
To: James Hansen
Cc: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] Maximum spaces/zones in v 3.63?

 

Hi James,

 

I can't confirm for you your question about allowable zones, but I did want to offer a couple of cents from my perspective...I hope that you are not planning to zone each space for each floor.  This is what I call a simulation nightmare--primarily for you as the simulator, but also for anyone who is or will be reviewing your model.

 

The zones are specifically thermal zones, so where you have alike thermal characteristics you can zone these spaces together as one zone.  Be mindful of zoning like spaces, but different perimeter exposures--for example you should not create a thermal zone that has both an east & south perimeter exposure because of the envelope loads that are experienced by these differing exposures.

 

Always try to simplify your models to work with as few zones as possible--from an input & file management standpoint.  Remember the more inputs you have, the more you open the door for variable errors in your file.  Sometimes the fewest possible zones might be in the 100's, or in the 10's range, but I personally would question any model that used more than 1000 zones for anything unless there were extenuating circumstances.

 

If you'd like some extra assistance or suggestions for your thermal zoning approach & input into eQuest, please contact me and send me some pdf's of your floor plans and I would be happy to help you.

 

Pasha

On Tue, Mar 23, 2010 at 11:44 AM, James Hansen <JHANSEN at ghtltd.com> wrote:

For those also subscribed to the bldg-sim list, you may have just seem Eric Sturm's email with an updated spreadsheet comparing DOE2, eQuest, Trace and HAP.

 

I don't think it's up-to-date for eQuest, but something on the list scared me.  eQuest isn't still limited to 1024 zones is it?

 

I'm working on a 19 story building with 100+ spaces per floor, and I'm hoping this isn't still the case.  I thought I remember seeing that since version 3.37, you're allowed to have something like 4000 spaces.

 

Can anyone confirm?  Would really suck to get ¾ of the way thru my model and realize I have to cut back on zoning.

 

Thanks!

 

GHT Limited
James Hansen, PE, LEED AP

Senior Associate

1010 N. Glebe Rd, Suite 200

Arlington, VA  22201-4749

703-338-5754 (Cell)

703-243-1200 (Office)

703-276-1376 (Fax)

www.ghtltd.com <http://www.ghtltd.com/> 

 

 

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The information contained in this communication is confidential, may be privileged, and is intended only for the use of the addressee.  It is the property of GHT Limited.  Unauthorized use, disclosure or copying of this communication or any part thereof is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.  If you have received this communication in error, please notify me immediately by return e-mail or by e-mail to ght at ghtltd.com <mailto:ght at ghtltd.com> , and destroy this communication and all copies thereof, including all attachments.  Thank you. 


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The information contained in this communication is confidential, may be privileged, and is intended only for the use of the addressee.  It is the property of GHT Limited.  Unauthorized use, disclosure or copying of this communication or any part thereof is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.  If you have received this communication in error, please notify me immediately by return e-mail or by e-mail to ght at ghtltd.com, and destroy this communication and all copies thereof, including all attachments.  Thank you.



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