OpenStudio has released version 6 of their free software tool for EnergyPlus and Sketchup. I had the opportunity to sit in on webinar a few weeks back and was very impressed by the new additions they have made. More HVAC templates are now available, along with several more air-side system components. I have not had time yet to dig into the details but I am excited! https://openstudio.nrel.gov/downloads
EnergyPlus Version 7.0 and OpenStudio Legacy Plug-in 1.07 Available The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released an updated version of EnergyPlus simulation software for modeling heating, cooling, lighting, ventilating, and other building energy flows. Additionally, a new version of OpenStudio Plug-in for Google SketchUp is available, which makes it possible to perform EnergyPlus simulations using Google’s user-friendly 3-D drawing interface. Visit www.energyplus.gov to learn more and download EnergyPlus and OpenStudio Plug-in now.
My recent posts have been more Revit focus, taking a short break from the energy analysis side of things. I posted Part I and Part II on some issues that companies have that relate to graphical standards and content. This types of issues seem to be at the forefront of BIM implementations within MEP firms and unfortunately they cloud the true benefits of a BIM platform which is the management of information, such as in the form of Schedules and calculations. You would be surprised how many MEP firms I talk with still have not implemented standardized schedules. With that being said I wanted to focus on a recent problem I was attempting to solve relating to mechanical elements adapting to the environment they are in.
In Part 1 of Elbows for Engineers I discussed creating Elbows based on LookUp tables for Steel Sch 40 piping. In this installment I am going to show a simple way to get a more realistic throat dimension for Mitered Elbows and tips for graphical representation of a mitered elbow with turning vanes. This is actually very straight forward. By simply editing the default Mitered Rectangular Elbow and changing the Shoulder parameter to this equation… if(Duct Width < 2′, 0′ 4″, if(Duct Width < 4′, 0′ 6″, 0′ 8″)) … you get a much better looking elbow for your documentation. See image results. I added the model line to represent an elbow with turning vanes. Some companies have different standards so do what works best for you. Enjoy!