Developing an IFC interoperability
specification for integrated and energy
efficient building design

Munoz, V

Abstract

Human activities release greenhouse gases (GHG) that are warming and changing the
climate and putting at risk the life on the planet. Among these activities, the building
sector has an important position as it consumes 30-40% of global energy. The primary use
of energy is domestic heating, and it contributes 12% of GHGs. More efficient housing
design should mean a reduction in the carbon emissions generated by the building sector.
Unfortunately, current energy design tools are not sufficient enough to deal with this
problem. Energy rating and standards are able to evaluate energy performance and
reduce energy consumption respectively, but they are not able to represent the
complexity of the multiple variables involved in energy performance. Recent
methodologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Building Performance
Simulation (BPS) have been able to handle the complexity of energy simulation.
Nonetheless, the current interoperability issues need to be improved to allow the
collaboration of both disciplines.
This research proposes to develop an interoperability specification for integrated and
energy efficient building design. This standard will allow any user to integrate BIM and BPS
tools in order to facilitate the workflows between both disciplines and to promote an early
collaboration with the energy designer to achieve a better energy performance and,
consequently, lower consumption and fewer carbon emissions.

Citation

efficient building design. (Dissertation). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Dissertation
• Deposit Date: Mar 20, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 20, 2017