A novel sensitivity analysis of commercial building hybrid energy-structure performance

The Architecture, Engineering, and Construction community is highly focused on designing buildings that can improve energy efficiency while maintaining adequate structural behavior (termed herein as energy-structure performance). Sensitivity analysis is a fundamental tool to identify the influential factors under this multidisciplinary setting which can be used for model calibration, model reduction, and design optimization. To enhance the study of energy-structure performance, a novel framework of sensitivity analysis, including initial studies and global sensitivity analysis, was developed based on a general and automated platform of multi-physics simulation. This platform meets the requirements of object-orientation and provides compatibility with parametrical representation, including geometric/non-geometric parameters and detailed modeling. A systematic methodology of sensitivity analysis considering sensitivity auditing and a Scaled Morris Method is developed within the context of hybrid building energy-structure performance. The refined global screening sensitivity analysis (Scaled Morris Method) is proposed to deal with different types of data inputs and multiple-output sensitivity index comparison problems. A building case study was part of the research, which included two types of facades totaling 15 input factors. More than 2000 simulations were conducted producing the yearly/peak energy performance indicators over four climate zones along with static/dynamic structural performance indicators. The results from the initial studies and global sensitivity analysis provided varying/sensitivity effects of building topology/layout, structural/nonstructural components, and inherited features, which were compared quantitatively. For the curtain wall building, the absolute mean (sensitivity indices) input factors were up to 2.3 for energy indicators and 3.0 for structural indicators. The precast concrete panel wall building exhibited the absolute mean of input factors up to 2.8 for energy indicators and 2.4 for structural indicators. Overall, the results indicate this new framework, methodology, and sensitivity analysis can be used for commercial hybrid building energy-structure performance analysis.

Automated summary

Sensitive analysis is a fundamental tool in identifying influential factors for model calibration, model reduction, and design optimization in the field of architecture. This new framework and methodology of sensitivity analysis can be applied to commercial hybrid building energy-structure performance analysis.