| Robert Amor's Publications in 1993 |
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Amor, R.W. and Hosking, J.G. (1993) Multi-Disciplinary Views for Integrated and Concurrent Design, The Management of Information Technology for Construction, First International Conference, Eds Mathur, K.S. and Betts, M.P. and Tham, K.W. Selected (refereed) papers, Singapore, 17-20 August, pp 255-268. |
Abstract: The definition and implementation of user views is likely to be a major factor in the success of the ISO-STEP standard for computer-based representation of building components and their inter-connection. The development of a method for describing user views to a particular model is also likely to increase the usage of existing design tools. Currently, the arcane languages and the detailed knowledge required of the physics and terminology of the specific domains of many of these tools limit their use by designers. This paper addresses these issues by describing a system that can present information from a base computer model of a building to a given user. The language and level of detail of the system are directed at the needs and understanding of the user. This system allows multiple concurrent views to the base model, each view tailored to a particular discipline (eg, architect, structural engineer, thermal engineer, etc) and further tailored to meet the specific needs of the particular user in terms of understanding of the various disciplines and the level of information required. Used with a system that integrates various design tools through a computer based building model, this system will offer users information from a range of design tools at a level that they can comprehend.
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Amor, R. and Donn, M. and Isaacs, N. and Hosking, J. (1993) Multi-Disciplinary Views to an Integrated Simulation Environment, International Building Performance Simulation Association, Proceedings of Third International Conference, Eds Delsante, A.E. and Mitchell, J.W. and Van de Perre, R.C. and Adelaide, Australia, 16-18 August, pp 153-160. |
Abstract: This paper examines the application of simulation tools to daylighting and heating energy use in the context of what questions the designers wish to ask and what answers they seek. We describe a framework to provide an integrated simulation environment which the designer can use to pose such questions and receive the required answers. While the structure of the integration framework is similar to many comparable projects in the field of integrated environments, we concentrate on the methods required to provide tailorable user-interfaces to the base models. These can be created for any designer. These user interfaces provide views of a building which allow the designers to view and modify the information required for design and analysis, in a form that suits their requirements at various stages of the design process.
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Amor, R. and TU Delft COMBINE Team (1993) A Set Theoretic Exchange Executive, COMBINE 2 report COMB2-93-34. |
Abstract: This draft document describes the thinking behind the definition of an Exchange Executive (EE) based on simple set theory. We describe how if a particular Design Tool Function (DTF) is described in two sections, one being the input schema and the other the output schema, then many properties of a working EE can be calculated automatically. We will show that it is possible to determine whether a DTF is able to be invoked at a particular time, whether it needs to be re-invoked after a change to the base model, and whether a set of DTFs can be invoked concurrently. Based on this analysis the implementation details and working of a demonstration exchange executive are discussed. In the last section we propose further extensions to this analysis which would give the EE the ability to handle multiple Project Window (PW) definitions, and in the future determine the possible DTFs which would have to be invoked, and in what order, to calculate a particular result.
| Amor, R. and Hosking, J. and Donn, M. (1993) Integrating Design Tools for Total Building Evaluation, Building and Environment, 28(4), pp 475-482. |
Abstract: To advance the use of expert systems and simulation tools, in fact to make them acceptable and useable to practitioners, a new approach is required in the development of an expert system and simulation tool environment. In this paper we detail the work currently taking place in New Zealand on the development of such an integrated environment for the use of multiple simulation tools and expert systems in the design process and for the analysis and refinement of the design as it progresses to a more concrete form.
| Amor, R. and Donn, M. and Rollo, J. (1993) New Zealand Weather Data for DOE2 and SUNCODE-PC, CBPR, Victoria University, Wellington, Technical Report, 28p. |
Abstract: This report gives detailed information on and ordering details of the weather data described in: Amor, R. and Donn, M. and van der Werff, I. (1990) Solar Modelling of Commercial Buildings, ANZSES Conference, Living in the Greenhouse, Auckland, New Zealand, 28 November - 1 December, pp 97-104.
| Donn, M. and Amor, R. (1993) The Creation of Weather Data Files to Fulfil the Simulation Needs of New Zealand, International Building Performance Simulation Association, Proceedings of Third International Conference, Eds Delsante, A.E. and Mitchell, J.W. and Van de Perre, R.C. and Adelaide, Australia, 16-18 August, pp 495-500. |
Abstract: This paper discusses the creation of standard weather data files covering the whole of New Zealand. As part of this process we describe the development of a method for selecting extreme weeks of data. This provides the simulationist with a set of weather patterns which test a buildingUs performance under the one-percentile most demanding conditions to be found at a particular location.
| Frost, K. and Donn, M. and Amor, R. (1993) The Application of RADIANCE to Daylighting Simulation, International Building Performance Simulation Association, Proceedings of Third International Conference, Eds Delsante, A.E. and Mitchell, J.W. and Van de Perre, R.C. and Adelaide, Australia, 16-18 August, pp 103-110. |
Abstract: The RADIANCE lighting simulation system was used to evaluate the daylighting inside two major buildings being constructed and refitted in New Zealand. This paper describes the utility and useability of such a simulation system for large projects of this nature. The ability to create many virtual snapshots of design alternatives and compare them both visually and numerically is explored, as are the problems Architects will find with describing a model to a simulation system of such complexity.
| TU Delft COMBINE Team and Amor, R. (1993) COMBINE Project Windows Modelling Approach, COMBINE 2 report COMB2-93-32. |
Abstract: This note describes the way that Project Windows (PW) are modelled in the COMBINE project. The PW concept was introduced in (93-22). Task1 has thus far provided (informal) descriptions of 2 PW's. This note is an input to Task2, as it describes a way to formalise PW-descriptions in a set of PW models that will have to result from that task, in order to drive the implementation of IBDSs. The approach that we have chosen is kept delibrately straightforward and rather simple. We feel that it is the right approach to start with providing a control layer to our IBDSs on a modest level. Once we feel comfortable with it, we could target more elaborate levels of control integration in our systems. We will introduce the modelling approach in general and then try it out on a simple (invented) PW. We will also deal with the link between PW models and the Exchange Executive, which will have to execute the control flow specifications embedded in the models. A particular approach to an ExEx implementation will be dealt with in a separate note (93-34). Finally, we will deal with management aspects of the production of the required models.