Parametric, Optimisation and UA/SA Analysis Settings

The Parametric, Optimisation and UA/SA Analysis Settings dialog can be accessed from the Tools menu and also from the Simulation screen on the Parametric and Optimisation + UA tabs. The data entered here can be used for Optimisation, UA/SA and Parametric Analyses.

Only 1 tab is used for parametric analysis:

• Outputs - Add as many outputs as required to show how various aspects of building performance are affected by the parametric changes to the model.

• Design Variables - the elements of the model that are to be allowed to vary during the parametric analysis and the new values that these elements may take. When used for Parametric Analysis only the top 2 variables on the list are used as parametric analysis only supports a maximum of 2 variables.

Analysis Type

There are 3 types of analysis and these can be set from the first tab on this dialog

Analysis

The analysis to select for parametric analysis is 1-Parametric analysis.

Outputs

The outputs tab allows you to define the outputs to be generated for each iterative design variation simulated. This can help in the final analysis of results to gain a clearer understanding of how variations in the design will impact on the building performance.

Any number of outputs can be added.

Controls on the Info panel are:

• Add Output: Creates a new output (using the Edit Analysis Outputs dialog) where you can enter information on that output (name and KPI).
• Edit Output: Edits the selected existing output from the table (using the Edit Analysis Outputs dialog).
• Delete Output: Deletes the selected existing output from the table.

Variables

The variables tab allows you to define the elements of the building design that can be allowed to vary as well as the allowed values that the variable can take on during the analysis. You can select from a wide range of variables such as Window to wall %, Heating setpoint temperature, HVAC Template, External wall construction etc.

List data types such as constructions, glazing or templates require a set of options to be selected to define the allowed variable options.

Controls on the Info panel are:

• Add Variable: Creates a new Design Variable (using Edit Analysis Variable dialog).
• Edit Variable: Edits the selected existing Design Variable from the table (using Edit Analysis Variable dialog).
• Delete Variable: Deletes the selected existing Design Variable from the table.

Important Note: While any number of variables can be added, only the top 2 in the list will be used in the parametric analysis.

Note: In some projects, it may be necessary to set up a design variable that changes an attribute that is also changed by another template type variable. In such cases you should ensure that the template variable is defined first, i.e. it appears higher in the variables list. For example, if the Design variables list includes parametric changes for both Construction templates and Infiltration, the Construction template variable should be higher on the list than the Infiltration variable for the infiltration variable to have any effect on the analysis.