1. Introduction

Ø The previous model of project 1 was used to utilize Revit API to pass parameters between the project and the families.

Ø The parametric model was made to change the angles of the PV (Photovoltaic) panels on the roof.

Ø What is API? What did I do for this project?

API stands for Application Programming Interface. In the case of the Revit, programmers like me can make the application using a C# language. I used a Microsoft Visual C# 2010 Express for developing C# code.
Revit Core Software can accept the application which programmers make by the Revit API. Then, programmers can make various applications such as parametric modeling. A diagram of the contents explained above is as followings.

(Autodesk, 2011)

2. Parametric Modeling Process by using Revit API

2.1. Made weather data model

Ø Got weather data of Copenhagen, Denmark where my building is. It is from an EnergyPlus weather format (.epw) on the U.S. DOE website

(U.S. DOE, 2011)

Ø Used a weather manager program of an Autodesk Ecotect with the EnergyPlus weather format

Ø Used the Autodesk Ecotect based on the weather manager program to see altitude and azimuth of the sun in Copenhagen, Denmark

2.2. Studied the inclination of the PV panels on the roof

Ø Got the equations from the website

(Solar Collectors and Photovoltaic in energyPro, 2011)

**Need to modify the equations for a correct angle

Assumptions : 1. Orientation of PV panels is south 2. The orientation of each PV panel doesn't affect the inclination of the PV panels from horizontal.

Ø Understood these equations in order to apply them to the PV panels on the roof (see below section 2.3.)

2.3. Made database based on above studies by using a CSV file

Ø Set the first row as a time line and the first column as names of the angle and date (June 4th)

Ø The blue line is for the inclination of the Blue PV panels (on the right side of the roof). The green line is for the inclination of Green PV panels (on the left side of the roof).

(figure 2.3.1.)

Ø The right side of the roof : Got the optimized angle (named as angle3, angle3 values are on the “Blue PV : Jun 4^th” row like above figure 2.3.1.) for facing the sun

The optimized angle = angle3 = the inclination of the Blue PV from horizontal – the inclination of the roof (a1)

Ø The left side of the roof : Got the optimized angle (named as angle3, angle3 values are on the “Green PV : Jun 4^th” row like above figure 2.3.1) for facing the sun

The optimized angle = angle3 = the inclination of the Green PV from horizontal + the inclination of the roof (a2)

Ø Made the database from the above explanations

2.4. Programmed C# codes by using a Microsoft Visual C# 2010 Express

2.4.1. Identified principles

Ø I understood the principles of C# codes from Project2 and CurtainPanels explained in lectures.

2.4.2. Made C# codes for the project file

2.4.3. Made C# codes for the mass family

2.4.4. Connected angle factors with the CSV file data

2.4.5. Set parameter of the angle of the PV panels

2.4.6. Changed the degree values of the angle to the radian values

3. Results of Parametric Modeling by the Revit API

3.1. 12:00pm, June 4

Ø Put 12:00pm on the column coordinate in the visual C# express

Ø Executed the C# command file

Ø Checked the inclinations of the Blue PV panels and Green PV panels by the message box

Ø The inclinations of the Blue PV panels and Green PV panels was changed based on the excel database

(The inclination of the Blue PV panels from the roof = 5°,

The inclination of the Green PV panels from the roof = 22° )

Ø Checked the inclination of PV panels with the weather data model

3.2. 4:00pm, June 4

Ø Put 4:00pm on the column coordinate in the visual C# express

Ø Executed the C# command file

Ø Checked the inclinations of the Blue PV panels and Green PV panels by the message box

Ø The inclinations of the Blue PV panels and Green PV panels was changed based on the excel database

(The inclination of the Blue PV panels from the roof = 65°,

The inclination of the Green PV panels from the roof = 93° )

Ø Checked the inclination of PV panels with the weather data model

4. Limitations

Ø The orientation of each PV panel wasn’t considered for facing the sun at the optimized angle.

5. References

Autodesk, website: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=16849339 (accessed Dec 5, 2011)

U.S.DOE, website: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/cfm/weather_data2.cfm/region=6_europe_wmo_region_6 (accessed Dec 5, 2011)

Solar Collectors and Photovoltaic in energyPro, website: http://www.emd.dk/files/energypro/Solar%20Collector%20and%20Photovoltaic%20in%20energyPRO.pdf (accessed Dec 5, 2011)

Introduction

The Blue Planet made by 3XN won the competition for the new Denmark Aquarium. This is inspired by the whirliing streams of the sea. From the round center hall of the building, the different parts are "whirled" in the slightly curved sequence of rooms. (3XN, 2011)

Floor Area : 9,000 m² Use : Recreation, Aquarium Expected Completion : 2013

Mass Process

1.1. Found proper parametric equations

Ø Used the parametric equations for the spiral, which are shown below.

1.2. Made the parametric line by using parametric equations

Ø Used ‘x=t sin t and y=t sin t’ instead of ‘x=t cos t and y=t sin t’, because the direction of the spiral that I want is inverse.

Ø Each parametric line for each mass was used

(z_scale=height, r_scale=length, a_scale= angle)

Wing #1 (r_scale=2.5, a_scale=6.0)

Wing #2 (r_scale=2.0, a_scale=6.0)

Wing #3 (r_scale=5.0, a_scale=2.0)

Wing #4 (r_scale=4.0, a_scale=2.0)

Wing #5 (r_scale=4.5, a_scale=2)

1.3. Made vertical planes by considering the actual building shape and applied parameters to change widths and heights of the mass keeping same shapes

Ex) wing #1 (e.g. mass #1)

1.4. The height, the width and the angle are changed by the parameters

Ø Below is changing by the height.

Ø Below is changing by the width.

Ø Below is changing by the angle.

1.5. Limitations

ØBasically, I planned the mass can be transformed by the spiral parametric line, but the mass was not changed by the spiral parametric line. The mass was moved by one of the parametric points of the parametric line, not changed by the parametric line.

Ø I tried to make the height and the width of the mass longer or shorter in one direction, but the height and the width were changed bi-directionally.

Skin Process

2.1. Made an applied rhomboid surface for the spiral mass

Ø I needed a rhomboid surface without a gap from the spiral, so I referenced the ‘octagon curtain panels’ tutorial. ( http://blog.cadway.com.au/2009/05/conceptual-mass-2010-octagon-panels.html )

2.2. Made a Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) feature to the roof and the wall

Ø I wanted to add a Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) feature to the roof and the wall, so I determined a proper shape of the photovoltaic (PV) panel for the design of the actual building.

Ø I applied the photovoltaic panels to each wing of my building model.

Ex) The fifth wing

2.3. Angles of the photovoltaic panels are driven by the sun path

Ø I made a curtain panel by pattern family which is driven by an angle parameter.

Ex) The second wing

Angle=45⁰ Angle=90⁰

Ø For best performance, PV systems aim to maximize the time they face the sun. Solar trackers aim to achieve this by moving PV panels to follow the sun. The increase can be by as much as 20% in winter and by as much as 50% in summer.