[Equest-users] Using global parameters to streamline modeling

[Robby Oylear]

I've never used switch because most of the projects we work on have less
than 10 or so space types.  I have not ran into a problem where my user
expression had too many characters.  From what I understand of switch, you
have to use integers which would require you to have a corresponding Space
Type legend (i.e. 1 = Office, 2 = Corridor, etc.).  I prefer to be able to
look at a space in eQUEST and from the activity description know exactly
what it's supposed to be based on the name I've assigned it.

-Robby

On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 11:49 AM, Bishop, Bill <wbishop at pathfinder-ea.com>wrote:

> Thanks Robby, Keith, Jeremy and Brian for your feedback.****
>
> ** **
>
> I like the idea of referencing C-ACTIVITY-DESC in user input expressions.
> What is the size limit of nested If-Then statements if you want to allow for
> many space activity types? In particular, would it be possible to create a
> user expression that returned the ASHRAE 90.1 baseline lighting value (W/ft
> 2) based on space activity type? I would want to allow at least 20 or so
> space types. Could you use a Switch statement? Is there a way to assign
> integer values to space activity types, since Switch needs an
> integer-compatible expression?****
>
> ** **
>
> Thanks,****
>
> Bill****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:
> equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] *On Behalf Of *Robby Oylear
> *Sent:* Friday, October 14, 2011 11:13 AM
> *To:* Dane Heimerman
> *Cc:* equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
> *Subject:* Re: [Equest-users] Using global parameters to streamline
> modeling****
>
> ** **
>
> Dane,****
>
> ** **
>
> What I'm discussing is in the Detailed Edit mode.  Part of our efforts to
> streamline energy modeling has been to stay out of the wizard as much as
> possible.  We mainly just use the wizard to setup the building shell, define
> slab penetrations, and infiltration rates (i.e. things that are hard to do
> in detailed edit mode).****
>
> ** **
>
> Under the Building Shell tab in, select any space within your project.
>  C-ACTIVITY-DESC is located here:****
>
> [image: image.png]****
>
> ** **
>
> We use a three letter acronym to describe the space type.  In the example
> above this space is a corridor.  You can then create conditional statements
> for most of the Space and/or Zone parameters based on this acronym. ****
>
> ** **
>
> For example, a user default expression for equipment W/SF can be written as
> such:****
>
> if(#L("C-ACTIVITY-DESC")=="COR")****
>
> then (0.25) else****
>
> no_default****
>
> endif****
>
> ** **
>
> These statements can have varied levels of complexity due to the nature of
> referencing the different variables in eQUEST using the #BDL functions.  For
> instance, in the above example I'm referencing the local BDL keyword
> "C-ACTIVITY-DESC" by using the BDL function #L which references a local BDL
> keyword.  ****
>
> ** **
>
> Hope this helps,****
>
> ** **
>
> *Robby Oylear, LEED**®** AP BD+C*****
>
> *Mechanical Project Engineer*****
>
> *Energy Analyst*****
>
> * *****
>
> *D* 206-788-4571 | *C* 206-354-2721****
>
> *www.rushingco.com* <http://www.rushingco.com/>****
>
> ** **
>
> On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 5:58 AM, Dane Heimerman <daneh at mlnai.com> wrote:**
> **
>
> Robby,
> Could you go over the basics of this C-ACTIVITY-DESC? I stumbled upon this
> thread, and it intrigued me, but I can't find what you're talking about.
> Where is 'space parameters'? Is this within the schematic of DD Wizard, or
> in detailed mode? If you could just get me pointed in the right direction,
> I'm usually able to struggle through it and learn on my own.
>
> Thanks,
>
> ****
>
> Dane Heimerman, EIT****
>
> HVAC Engineer****
>
> Michael L. Norris & Associates, Inc.****
>
> 270 Walker Dr, Suite 201B****
>
> State College, PA 16801****
>
> p:814.867.3823****
>
> f:814.867.4823****
>
> daneh at mlnai.com****
>
>
> On 10/13/2011 6:05 PM, Robby Oylear wrote: ****
>
> Bill, ****
>
> ** **
>
> When I look at most of my project files, the Global Parameters list is
> pretty standard, however each parameter is usually project specific, i.e.
> Number of Residences, Glazing Ht by Orientation, System Efficiencies.****
>
> ** **
>
> One thing that can really help speed up modeling is to get fancy with the
> user-defined defaults, using basic IF/THEN statements you can setup default
> schedules, lighting w/sf, equip w/sf, infiltration etc. based on a trigger
> of the space.  ****
>
> ** **
>
> Using the C-ACTIVITY-DESC command under the Space Parameters you can label
> a space based on use, and have your defaults do the rest of the work for
> you.****
>
> ** **
>
> -Robby****
>
> On Thu, Oct 13, 2011 at 1:11 PM, Bishop, Bill <wbishop at pathfinder-ea.com>
> wrote:****
>
> Does anyone use pre-defined global parameters in an input file that they
> import, as a way to streamline the modeling process?****
>
>  ****
>
> I already have ASHRAE schedules and building constructions in an input file
> that I import, but I never use global parameters.****
>
> I make most of my universal changes by using User-Defined Default Values.
> Am I missing a big opportunity to speed up the modeling process?****
>
>  ****
>
> Thanks,****
>
> Bill****
>
>  ****
>
> *Error! Filename not specified.*****
>
>  ****
>
>
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>
> ** **
>
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