Download DEFT User guide

Deft User Guide
<Virtual Environment> 6.0
Page 1 of 32
Contents
1.
2.
Introduction ....................................................................................................... 3
Components of the Deft System ..................................................................... 5
2.1.
ModelIT ................................................................................................................................ 6
2.2.
CostPlan ............................................................................................................................... 8
2.3.
ApacheSim ........................................................................................................................... 9
2.4.
Deft ....................................................................................................................................... 9
2.4.1.
Model ......................................................................................................................... 10
2.4.2.
Capital Cost ............................................................................................................... 11
2.4.3.
Thermal Analysis ....................................................................................................... 11
2.4.4.
Running Cost ............................................................................................................. 11
2.4.5.
Environmental ............................................................................................................ 11
2.4.6.
Miscellaneous ............................................................................................................ 11
2.4.7.
Results ....................................................................................................................... 12
3.
Using Deft ........................................................................................................ 13
3.1.
File Menu ............................................................................................................................ 13
3.1.1.
New............................................................................................................................ 13
3.1.2.
Open .......................................................................................................................... 19
3.1.3.
Close.......................................................................................................................... 20
3.1.4.
Save Deft Project ....................................................................................................... 20
3.1.5.
Save Deft Project As ................................................................................................. 20
3.1.6.
Print Output ............................................................................................................... 21
3.1.7.
Exit ............................................................................................................................. 21
3.2.
Edit Menu ........................................................................................................................... 21
3.2.1.
Project Details ........................................................................................................... 21
3.2.2.
Revert ........................................................................................................................ 21
3.2.3.
Refresh all energy simulation data ............................................................................ 21
3.3.
Project ................................................................................................................................ 21
3.3.1.
New Scenario ............................................................................................................ 22
3.3.2.
Copy Scenario ........................................................................................................... 22
3.3.3.
Delete Scenario ......................................................................................................... 22
3.3.4.
List Deft Scenarios .................................................................................................... 22
3.3.5.
Re-Reference Base ................................................................................................... 23
3.3.6.
Project Browser ......................................................................................................... 24
3.4.
Review ................................................................................................................................ 24
3.4.1.
Summary of Results .................................................................................................. 24
3.4.2.
Scenario Analysis ...................................................................................................... 25
3.4.3.
Graph Scenario Analysis ........................................................................................... 26
3.5.
Options ............................................................................................................................... 27
3.5.1.
Primary energy fuel factors........................................................................................ 27
3.5.2.
Pollution Factors ........................................................................................................ 28
3.5.3.
Currency .................................................................................................................... 28
3.5.4.
Measurement Options ............................................................................................... 28
3.6.
Window Menu..................................................................................................................... 29
3.6.1.
Cascade..................................................................................................................... 29
3.6.2.
Tile Horizontally ......................................................................................................... 29
3.6.3.
Tile Vertically ............................................................................................................. 29
3.6.4.
Arrange Icons ............................................................................................................ 29
3.6.5.
Restore default workspace ........................................................................................ 29
4.
Tool Buttons.................................................................................................... 30
4.1.
5.
Main Toolbar ...................................................................................................................... 30
How do I?......................................................................................................... 31
5.1.
5.2.
Set whether a higher or lower figure is better .................................................................... 31
Set a weighting value ......................................................................................................... 32
Page 2 of 32
1. Introduction
Deft is a unique Value Engineering software tool. There are no similar products
currently available in the marketplace. Deft enables organisations to compare
building options based upon variables such as capital cost and thermal
performance. The basic concept associated with Deft is that it can calculate key
performance indices. These performance indices can be weighted to enable
the effects of different building design changes to be compared more effectively
and will allow the people involved in the decision making to do so based upon
accurate information.
In summary Deft has the following features:





Deft can be used, particularly at the concept stage of the design process,
to provide financial and design information for the client and the design
team.
Capital cost assessments will be performed against design parameters.
Thermal analysis will be performed to provide information such as energy
performance, environmental impact and running costs.
The data model for Deft will be generated by the IES <Virtual
Environment> data structure and can be used by the detailed simulation
tools.
Deft can be used throughout the design to help monitor the
financial/environmental performance against client expectations.
In addition, Deft will permit parametric analyses that are aimed at providing
information to permit the Client to weight the relative strengths of any
performance criteria. This type of information is extremely useful when
multivariate analyses are performed because the complex inter-relationships
between different design variables and the benefits of changes can be
assessed against a common base. This type of system provides invaluable
information but can also allow the client to express the range of acceptability
and the design team to communicate effectively with the client, and each other,
on the specific consequences of the various options e.g. fabric, window sizes,
floor to ceiling heights, and so on.
Currently Deft includes the following performance indicators:





Capital costs.
Thermal loads.
In-use energy demand.
Maximum heating and cooling demand.
Areas, volumes, occupant movement, etc.
Page 3 of 32
These performance indices, relevant to a particular project, are selected by the
Client and the design team and subsequently monitored throughout the design,
and possibly compared against post-occupancy measured data. The
performance indices will also be used in parametric analyses to compare
against target scores and adjusted by weighting factors to give an overall rating
for each design option. The weighting factors will be decided between the client
and the design team to weight the relative strengths of any performance criteria
e.g. capital cost, running costs and energy consumption.
Page 4 of 32
2. Components of the Deft System
There are four principal modules associated with the Deft system. The following
diagram shows the relationship between these four modules:
ModelIT
3D Model Creation
.ajf
CostPlan
Capital Cost
.idl
.cst
Deft
Value Engineering
ApacheCalc
Thermal Analysis
In summary:




ModelIT allows the 3D model to be built and modified. When the user
„Exports to Deft‟ format two files are created: the *.idl file which contains
a summary of the model; and the Apache job file (*.ajf) for thermal
analysis purposes.
CostPlan uses the 3D model information in the *.idl file created by
ModelIT to estimate the capital cost of the building. The cost data file
(*.cst) created by CostPlan is used by Deft.
ApacheSim is optionally run from Deft to calculate the building energy
consumption from the *.ajf file or it can be user-defined.
Deft uses information from ModelIT, CostPlan and ApacheCalc. In
Page 5 of 32
addition, Deft currently allows the user to assign running costs and
various environmental parameters as well as performing the comparative
analysis between different scenarios.
Further information on ModelIT, CostPlan and ApacheCalc is now provided.
2.1. ModelIT
ModelIT generates the *.idl data file for Deft. ModelIT consists of an easily
learned, graphical 3D building modelling system capable of quickly creating the
required geometrical model of the building. Initially, the user creates 3D
bounded volumes and assigns any number of windows and doors to each
surface of a bounded volume. ModelIT simultaneously assigns non-graphical
room/zone data to the 3D geometry and automatically identifies adjacencies
between rooms. The non-graphical data is assigned using user defaults.
ModelIT has the capability and flexibility to swiftly create extremely complex
geometric models.
ModelIT substantially reduces the risk of errors in creating the model and all
volumes, areas and adjacencies are automatically generated.
ModelIT simplifies and accelerates the preparation of data for a wide range of
building design studies including shadow modelling, dynamic thermal
simulation, multi-zone airflow analyses and electric lighting/daylighting studies.
Basically, there are five steps in the ModelIT procedure:





A 3D geometry model of the building is created using a number of
geometry „objects‟ to rapidly build the appropriate 3D geometry. Each
object is a zone or room of the building.
Windows and doors may be added to any surface of the model, ModelIT
automatically distinguishes between windows and rooflights.
Default constructions are defined (e.g. walls, floors, ceilings), along with
building defaults (site and weather data) and room defaults (e.g.
thermal, lighting, casual gains, air exchange). To accelerate model
preparation ModelIT employs project specific and system databases for
constructions and profiles, which are managed by APcdb and APpro
respectively.
Once ModelIT has generated the data model, clicking on an icon
accesses the appropriate <Virtual Environment> program such as
Apache (thermal analysis), SunCast (shading prediction) and Flucs
(lighting design and analysis). See the appropriate IES User Guides for
more information.
The model can be exported to Deft format.
Page 6 of 32
The ModelIT window incorporates a pull-down menu bar from which existing
model files may be loaded, display and build settings specified, building and
room default attributes set, and the current building storey and view rotation
modified.
In addition, because ModelIT is independent of a CAD system, it does not
require a CAD workstation, therefore reducing capital cost and alleviating the
need to have CAD experience to operate the software.
Consequently, ModelIT is particularly useful at the early stage of the design
process when only architectural sketches may be available.
Once a model has been created in ModelIT then DEFT can read the data from
it.
For further information on ModelIT please refer to the ModelIT User Guide.
Page 7 of 32
2.2. CostPlan
Having created the model the capital cost of the building can be assessed in
CostPlan. CostPlan enables the user to define a Cost Data File (*.cst) that can
be assigned to a model and the capital costs calculated.
In summary, CostPlan can use the 3D model created by ModelIT, which
contains exact measures for the dimensions of the building, e.g. total floor
area, roof area, external wall area, etc. These parameters are then used to
generate the elemental costs which are required for the Outline Cost Plan. The
Costs data file defines the "rules" and price data that is used to calculate the
individual costs. The "rule" defines which measure is to be applied to the unit
price to give the cost, e.g. "total floor area" is a commonly used measure.
There are two principal CostPlan templates available at this time: a whole
building template; and a building services template.
CostPlan works by allowing the user to define a cost Category and each
category has a number of elements.
The user can add, delete or modify cost categories. The current Category Price
and total price are also displayed.
Page 8 of 32
If the user selects a particular category the elements within the category are
displayed.
The user can edit elements and assign an Element code that can be assigned
to a unit cost. For example: cost/ground floor area; cost/total floor area, fixed
cost, etc. The necessary areas, volumes and quantities are extracted from the
3D Model.
The Cost Data File created to generate costs can then be used in Deft to help
calculate capital costs.
For further information on CostPlan please refer to the CostPlan User Guide.
2.3. ApacheSim
Deft reads in the Annual results file (*.ann) generated by running an Apache
Dynamic Simulation. This can be done either automatically through the Energy
section of Deft or by reading the result file from a previously run simulation.
For greater accuracy it is best to run ApacheSim outside of Deft as the user
has more control over simulation settings.
The *.ann file will not be produced under certain circumstances, if:
i.
ii.
iii.
there are multiple Apache Systems in use, or
ApacheHVAC is in use,
the simulation is for Compliance.
For further information on ApacheSim please refer to the ApacheSim User
Guide.
2.4. Deft
Deft works by setting up a „Base Case‟ analysis. This is the starting point of
any Deft project. Other scenarios can be applied where the geometry, building
operation, capital cost, etc. may change. The information for the Base Case is
defined as follows:
Page 9 of 32



ModelIT is used to define the building model for analysis purposes and
„Exported to Deft‟.
CostPlan is used to define the cost file (*.cst) for the model.
The user runs Deft and defines if thermal, running cost, environmental
or miscellaneous analyses are required.
Having reached this stage the following form is displayed:
There are six data tabs:






Model
Capital Cost
Thermal Analysis
Running Cost
Environmental
Miscellaneous
These tabs can be summarised as follows:
2.4.1. Model
The Model tab allows the user to define the file created by ModelIT. Having entered
this file the option to calculate the area and volume of the model can be invoked.
Alternatively the user can define the area and volume of the building.
Page 10 of 32
2.4.2. Capital Cost
The cost data file can be defined through the Capital Cost tab. Deft calculates the
capital costs associated for the building as CostPlan. The user can also define the
capital cost if it has been obtained from another source.
The Thermal Analysis, Running Cost, Environmental and Miscellaneous tabs are
optional. Once defined for the Base Case they must be defined for all scenarios. If
the user has not selected any of these options then the relevant tab can not be
selected. However the tabs for each of these options are defined below.
2.4.3. Thermal Analysis
When the thermal calculations are selected the user enters some supplementary
information and ApacheCalc is invoked to calculate the appropriate heat loss and
heat gain information. These values could have been entered via the user defined
facility if ApacheCalc has been run on its own or more detailed values are available
from ApacheSim.
2.4.4. Running Cost
Currently the user must define the building running costs. IES are currently
investigating the most effective method of calculating running costs. A
complementary ApacheSim analysis may be carried out and the results entered into
Deft by the user.
2.4.5. Environmental
IES plan to calculate the following environmental parameters:







Primary Energy Demand
Embodied CO2
Embodied Energy
CO2
CO
NOx;
SOx.
A complementary ApacheSim analysis may be carried out and the results entered
into Deft by the user.
2.4.6. Miscellaneous
The Miscellaneous tab is extremely useful as it can be used for any variable
important to the user, for example:




The number of car park spaces.
Occupant comfort.
The number of hours exceeding 24 degC.
Percentage occupant satisfaction; etc.
Page 11 of 32
2.4.7. Results
The purpose of the Results tab is to summarise the data entered and the calculated
information. This information can be printed out to act as a record for the particular
Base Case or Scenario.
The information associated with these analyses will be described in the next section.
Page 12 of 32
3. Using Deft
The Deft menu bar has the following options:







File
Edit
Scenario
Review
Options
Window
Help
Each of these is described in detail in this section.
Deft also has tool buttons that save you time by enabling you to select some of
the most frequently used commands, without having to select them from the pull
down menus at the top of the Deft window.
3.1. File Menu
3.1.1. New
The New command allows a new Deft project to be created.
3.1.1.1. Step 1: Name New Deft Project
On selecting the New option, a new Deft Project window will pop up. Having named the
new project the Project Details must be entered through the following form:
Page 13 of 32
After entering the details the user is required to define the Base Case references:
The user selects the analyses to be performed in this project. This selection can be altered
at a later stage if necessary.
If all the analysis options are selected then the Base Case form will be displayed:
As this stage all information pertaining to the base case is empty. A description of how to
complete each form follows.
3.1.1.2. Step 2: Complete the Model Tab
The Model tab allows the user to reference the *.idl file created by ModelIT. Reading from
the Model file the following parameters are obtained:
Floor area; Volume; Net lettable area; and Total number of occupants.
Page 14 of 32
Alternatively the user can define the fields manually.
Having completed this task the Model tab should look as follows:
3.1.1.3. Step 3: Complete the Capital Cost Tab
The cost data file (*.cst) that was set up in CostPlan can be referenced through the Capital
Cost tab. Having entered the cost data file the option to calculate capital costs is highlighted
and Deft calculates the capital costs associated for the building based upon the model
defined in the Model tab and the *.cst file. The capital cost figure is displayed in the
appropriate box.
The user can also define the capital cost if it has been obtained from another source.
Having completed this task the Capital Cost tab should look as follows:
Page 15 of 32
3.1.1.4. Step 4: Complete the Energy Tab
On the Energy tab we can see the Peak Heating and cooling loads and the Annual energy
loads for Heating; Cooling; Lighting and small power. The interface looks like this:
The results can be obtained by using one of two methods either:
a) Reading from an existing annual results file generated by ApacheSim (click Browse):
b) Simulating from Deft. Clicking the Simulate button brings up the simplified simulation
options dialog seen here:
Page 16 of 32
On clicking this Simulate button Deft then starts up Apache to run a dynamic simulation on
the current project. Please note that this can take a long time depending on the size and
complexity of the model.
It is recommended to perform the Simulation from within ApacheSim and read in the results
as described in method a) above.
3.1.1.5. Step 5: Running Costs
The running cost value can also be generated by ApacheSim.
3.1.1.6. Step 6: Environmental
The Environmental tab is optional. The objective is to calculate several environmental
variables namely:



Primary Energy Demand
Embodied Energy and Embodied CO2
Environmental gases – CO2, CO, NOx and SOx
Page 17 of 32
3.1.1.7. Step 7: LifeCycle tab
The LifeCycle tab allows the user to enter the Net Present Value of the scenario. The
<Virtual Environment> program LifeCycle performs this role and the NPV can be read from
the LifeCycle project file or specified manually.
3.1.1.8. Step 7: Miscellaneous
The Miscellaneous tab is different from the others as it offers the user the ability to enter
any parameter they require, for example:





Number of car park spaces
Occupant comfort
Net lettable area
Rent
Number of occupants; etc.
Page 18 of 32
The Miscellaneous tab at the start for the Base Case is shown below.
The form for the base case differs from the Scenario form in that it is only through the Base
Case can a new item be inserted or deleted. When either of these actions are taken then
Deft will automatically adjust the Miscellaneous tab in all scenarios and in the analysis
forms.
When choosing to Insert a new item, an area is created to enter three items:


Description - this is the name of the Item to be entered. This name will be made
available to the Miscellaneous tab for all scenarios.
Value - is the numerical value for the item. This value will be initially set to zero in
all scenarios.
Please note that the user can enter any type of parameter through this feature.
3.1.2. Open
The Open command allows you to read an existing Deft Project that has the *.idp
extension. A standard Windows open file dialogue box will appear. Use this dialogue
box to browse through the structure of your computer system, select the required
*.idp file and click on the Open button.
Page 19 of 32
Select the file required and the details of the project will be displayed.
A summary of the title of the current scenarios is then displayed. The current project
is ready for further work.
3.1.3. Close
The Close facility allows you to save the current Deft Project and remove it from Deft
without exiting Deft. This facility is particularly useful when a subsequent model is to
be opened.
3.1.4. Save Deft Project
You can use this command to save the current *.idp Project file at any point under
the existing name.
3.1.5. Save Deft Project As
You can use this command to save the current *.idp Project file at any point under
Page 20 of 32
the existing name or under a different name.
A standard Windows Save As file dialogue box will appear. Use this dialogue box to
browse through the structure of your computer system, enter the required *.idp file
name and click on the Save button.
3.1.6. Print Output
Selecting Print will cause the Print dialogue box to appear.
3.1.7. Exit
This command exits from Deft. If you have made any changes to the *.idp Project
file, you will be given the option to save the amended file.
3.2. Edit Menu
3.2.1. Project Details
Use this command to alter the Project Details.
3.2.2. Revert
Selecting this will reset the project to the state it was in at the last save. All changes
since this save will be lost.
3.2.3. Refresh all energy simulation data
This option will go through each scenario and run the energy simulation again.
WARNING – This could take a very long time. It is only recommended for advanced
users of DEFT
3.3. Project
The section allows the user to manage the various scenarios within the Deft
project.
Page 21 of 32
3.3.1. New Scenario
When a new Scenario is created a copy of the currently selected scenario is made
and titled „X: Base Case (copy)‟, where X is the next scenario. An example of a new
Scenario selection is shown below:
All the information pertaining to the Base Case is included in this new scenario. The
procedure to convert this to a new scenario is now described.
Select „Rename Scenario‟ and change the title of the Scenario, in this case to
„Courtyards‟. See Section 3.3.4 below.
Follow Steps 2-8 described in Section 3.1.1. If a new model is entered then all other
information will have to be recalculated. If the model is the same then only the
analysis tabs where changes are made will it be necessary to recalculate.
3.3.2. Copy Scenario
This feature is very similar to the New Scenario feature except that it allows the user
to copy the active scenario, thereby saving some time in defining the scenario.
3.3.3. Delete Scenario
The currently active scenario can be deleted using this option. See also the List
Scenario option described below.
3.3.4. List Deft Scenarios
The List DEFT Scenarios option displays the title of all scenarios in a window.
Page 22 of 32
This window is also activated when a Deft project is opened.
To edit a scenario either double click the mouse over the desired scenario or select
the scenario and choose the Edit option. The delete option will remove the selected
scenario. More than one scenario can be selected by holding down the „control‟ key.
3.3.5. Re-Reference Base
When a new project is started the user is asked to define the type of analyses to be
performed.
This option allows the user to re-define these analyses. The user simply activates
the appropriate analyses. This option should be used with some care as it is possible
to lose information if an analysis is de-selected.
Page 23 of 32
3.3.6. Project Browser
This allows the user to switch between DEFT projects stored in the same folder
without having to do File>Open. If the IDP files are all in the same location you can
simply switch between them by highlighting the name.
3.4. Review
The purpose of this menu selection is to allow comparison between the Base
Case and the various scenarios.
3.4.1. Summary of Results
This option provides the facility to review the results for the Base case and all the
scenarios. Consider the following example:
Page 24 of 32
In this example the absolute value of each variable for each scenario is displayed.
This information can be printed if required.
It is also possible to view the results by two alternative methods:


By the absolute difference between the Base case and each scenario.
The percentage difference between the Base case and each scenario.
3.4.2. Scenario Analysis
This is the principal tool for comparing the relative merits of the various scenarios
against the Base Case. Consider the following example:
Deft uses the percentage differences between the Base Case and each scenario as
the basis for calculating the relative performance of each scenario against the Base
Case. The calculation procedure is as follows:



The Percentage difference between the Base Case and scenario is
calculated for each variable.
The percentage difference is multiplied by the Scale and Factor values.
The values for each variable are summed and the scenario with the highest
value is deemed the best scenario, and better than the Base Case if it is a
positive value.
There are several items on this form that require further description:
Page 25 of 32
3.4.2.1. Scale
Some variables are better if they are less than the base case, i.e. a negative percentage
difference compared with the Base Case is best. In these cases it is necessary to reverse
the sign of the percentage difference for this calculation. The Scale is either 1 or -1
depending on the nature of the variable. The Scale is described in more detail in the next
Section.
3.4.2.2. Weighting
This is the weighting factor which signifies the importance of the particular variable to the
decision making process. The higher the weighting the more significance this will have on
the calculation of the best scenario. The next section describes how to assign these
Weighting factors.
3.4.2.3. Value
The value is the summation of all the values for each variable. Consequently the Value
represents the relative benefit of the scenario against the Base Case. This enables the user
to decide what the best options are and to assist in the decision making process.
To assist the user the best option for a particular variable is displayed in red and the
best „Value‟ is displayed in red and in bold.
3.4.3. Graph Scenario Analysis
It is possible to graph the results of any of the variables including Value. If this option
is selected then the following window is displayed:
Page 26 of 32
Copy to Clipboard allows the graphical information to be saved and then pasted to
any other Windows application.
3.5. Options
3.5.1. Primary energy fuel factors
This option displays the fuel factors used by the primary fuel. This is due for further
work in future versions.
Page 27 of 32
3.5.2. Pollution Factors
This dialog provides a read-only display of the pollution emissions for a number of
fuels it is for information only and the data has not been validated recently.
3.5.3. Currency
This option allows the user to specify the currency units used by the economic data.
There is no conversion done between currencies at present this is simply a label
used to identify which currency is being used. For US based customers the default it
US Dollars $ and for all other locations the default is British pounds £.
3.5.4. Measurement Options
Working Units allow the user the choice of working in imperial or metric units.
Page 28 of 32
3.6. Window Menu
3.6.1. Cascade
Cascade arranges all windows to lie on one on top of another. This is best when
several windows are active.
3.6.2. Tile Horizontally
This option arranges all windows side by side horizontally. This is not recommended
if too many windows are active.
3.6.3. Tile Vertically
This option arranges all windows side by side vertically. This is not recommended if
too many windows are active.
3.6.4. Arrange Icons
User arranges all minimised (iconised) windows
3.6.5. Restore default workspace
This option arranges the workspace to a “sensible” setting
Page 29 of 32
4. Tool Buttons
The tool buttons save you time by enabling you to select some of the most
frequently used commands, without having to select them from the pull down
menus at the top of the Deft window.
The following tools buttons are part of the Main Toolbar.
4.1. Main Toolbar
The available tool buttons are:





New Project (see File menu)
Open Project (see File menu)
Close Project (see File menu)
Save Project (see File menu)
Print Detailed Output


List Scenarios
Scenario references



Display summary of results (see Results menu)
Display Scenario Analysis (see Results menu)
Graph Scenario Analysis (see Results menu)

Exit

Help
Page 30 of 32
5. How do I?
5.1. Set whether a higher or lower figure is better
This is extremely important in calculating the best scenario because it acts to
ensure that all the best options have positive values and the worst options
have negative values.
You can see this information in the DEFT Analysis dialog:
A blue up arrow means that a higher value is preferred whereas a red down
arrow means that a lower figure is preferred. To toggle this setting you simply
double-click on the arrow.
Page 31 of 32
5.2. Set a weighting value
These factors can have a dramatic effect on the comparison between
scenarios. It is important that these values represent the project requirements.
To change the values simply edit the value in the DEFT Analysis screen
It is recommended the range of values of factors is not too great. For example
if one variable has a factor of over 100 and another is 1 then this latter value is
meaningless and should be set to zero.
Page 32 of 32