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
I second what Robby said. I use C-ACTIVITY-DESC to assign all the space and zone parameters with user-default formulas. If/then statements work well if you only have a few templates, but if you have more than a few, I would recommend switch statements (a lesson I learned by maxing out the characters allowed). I have global parameters, formulas, systems, loops, basically everything in inp snippets that I import. I use global parameters extensively in formulas. They certainly have the ability to save time.
Jeremy
___________________________________________
Jeremy McClanathan, P.E., BEMP, HFDP, LEED(r) AP BD+C
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
Bill,
I don't import global parameters from an input file, but I use them a lot for parametric runs. It just makes it easier when setting up the parametric run to change the value of a global parameter instead of searching through the various lists trying to find the name of value to be changed. That searching can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack, especially for people who are new to the program. If a model does not use parametric runs (like separate files for baseline and proposed), then I don't think global parameters would be very useful.
________________________________
Keith Swartz, P.E., LEED AP
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*
Switch statements can be used with text. You don't have to use integers. I posted a step by step example of how to assign lighting schedules with a switch statement including screenshots and the example model at the following link:
http://www.esimforums.com/equest/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=124&view=unread#unread
I use similar formulas to assign loads, schedules, min flows, osa, etc. Also, as Robby mentioned, I also get out of the wizard as soon as possible to streamline the process. I only create the geometry in the wizard. Everything thing else I can do faster in detailed edit mode. Although it took a lot of effort to get to that point.
Jeremy
___________________________________________
Jeremy McClanathan, P.E., BEMP, HFDP, LEED(r) AP BD+C
Bill,
What you are looking for is called a regular expression. I actually use excel to do it, but that requires vba. I posted an example of how to do it in NoteTab Light at http://www.esimforums.com/equest/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=125 I'm not familiar with other text editors, but I would assume that all of them would be capable of regular expressions.
Jeremy
___________________________________________
Jeremy McClanathan, P.E., BEMP, HFDP, LEED(r) AP BD+C
eQuest will delete the blank lines when you run the model, and may delete them by just hitting save. If you open the file now, the blank lines should be gone.
Jeremy
___________________________________________
Jeremy McClanathan, P.E., BEMP, HFDP, LEED(r) AP BD+C