After the Wizard Mode is completed, construction layers are formed for
the various external surfaces based on the designated insulation and
construction types. What does the "self-named" material correspond to
(such as material "E2 EWall Cons Mat 2 (0.91)")? I would assume that
depending on the framing or construction method, equest would generate a
derating factor to account for discontinuities in insulation, etc.
However the "self-named" material improves the overall u-value for the
composition. What does this layer correspond to and can it be omitted
when redefining the layers in Detail Mode? Thanks in advance for your
help.
Ryan G. Schmidt
Ryan,
While I don't happen to know the answer to your question, I do know how
to find out:
Save and close your project. Open the .inp file in notepad and scroll
to the Materials/Layers/Constructions section. Near the end of this
section, you'll see lines of code with the construction's name in quotes,
then = CONSTRUCTION". The immediately following lines give direct
parameters and/or references to layers. If the lines include TYPE = LAYERS,
then another line will say LAYERS = name-of-layer. Simply scroll up to the
middle of the Materials/Layers/Constructions section of the code to find
that layer's name in quotes then = LAYERS. The immediately following lines
give direct parameters and/or references to materials via a line MATERIALS =
names of materials listed in quotes and parentheses, separated by commas.
Now, just scroll up to the beginning portion of the
Materials/Layers/Constructions section of the code to see how any materials
are defined.
I have found the eQuest is useful for generating preliminary DOE2-2 BDL
code, but that once my patience for user-friendliness runs out, digging
directly into the BDL in a text editor can save alot of grief. However, be
ready to frequently reference eQuest help and the online DOE2-2 dictionary
to learn how stuff really works - and be careful deleting seemingly
superfluous code unless you know what it means.
Good luck!
Lars Fetzek, EI
One more thing:
If the BDL code ultimately refers to an eQuest library material and you
are unsatisfied with not knowing its physical properties, then try looking
them up in the DOE2-2 online dictionary (not comprehensive) or define your
own materials in the detailed edit mode or directly in the BDL code using
physical properties from ASHRAE's "Fundamentals" book.
Probably somebody else has an easier answer. However, not everyone
defines "easy" the same way.
Lars Fetzek, EI
Ryan,
This might be more info than you require, but, for what it is worth, I
found this, too:
http://doe2.com/DOE2/index.html#doe22docs
Click on item 44e4. This PDF includes a bunch of data for library
materials.
Lars Fetzek, EI
Ryan,
Your assumption is correct. The layer you?re referring to represents the combined batt insulation and framing type specified in the wizard. The layers shown in the detailed interface are continuous layers, so non-continuous constructions need to be converted to an equivalent continuous construction.
More specifically, eQUEST is applying the framing factors found in Standard 90.1 Table A9.2B. For example, specifying metal 2x6 studs 24? OC with R-19 batt in the wizard would correspond to a ?self-named? layer showing thermal resistance R-8.6 in the detailed interface. You can locate this same conversion in Table A9.2B (page 105 of the 2004 edition).
Thanks,
DAKOTA KELLEY