Section Three
Exercises
In order to be able to use ESP-r and to appreciate the following chapters, it is assumed that you have access to a Unix workstation (you will need a personal user account on the machine) and that you have a number of basic skills. The exercises that follow are designed to progress ESP-r users from the category of novice to specialist over a period of time which will depend on the individual’s aptitude and stamina. Once a level of proficiency has been attained, the exercises of chapter 4 can be attempted. It is suggested that the following assignments are adhered to in the order given. These assignments serve a dual purpose. They enable the instructor to assess whether or not the training material is being absorbed effectively. For the course participant they form a series of "real world" consultancy sub-tasks enabling the participant to check whether the training material is understood, while at the same time placing ESP-r in a realistic context. Each assignment has an associated prerequisite exercise, such as learning email in the case of assignment 1. The outcome of each assignment should be send by electronic mail to the supervisor.
Objectives: |
To become familiar with the elements of a Unix workstation, to become proficient in the use of a X Window manager and to utilise some essential software tools. |
Procedure:
Note: |
In case of any questions or problems regarding these issues, your local administrator or computer center help desk should be able to help you. | |
Outcome: |
Familiarity with the workstation, the window manager and basic Unix software tools. |
Objectives: |
To become familiar with the configuration and directory structure of the ESP-r system, and to develop an appreciation of file management. |
Procedure:
Note: |
In case of any questions or problems regarding these issues, your local administrator or computer center helpdesk should be able to help you. | |
Outcome: |
Familiarity with the ESP-r directory structure and an appreciation of file management. |
Objectives: |
To explore the ESP-r interface and understand the basic stages of an ESP-r session: database assignment, problem definition, simulation results analysis and report generation. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Familiarity with the ESP-r interface. |
Objectives: |
Exploration of the in-built training exemplars. Note that at this point we only want to have a brief look at the exemplars. More in depth discussions are covered in Chapter 4 of this User Guide. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Familiarity with ESP-r in-built exemplars. |
Objectives: |
To understand the essential building description data necessary for simulations and the concept of thermal zones. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Familiarity with the essential building description data necessary for simulations and the concept of thermal zones. |
Objectives: |
To understand the major features of ESP-r’s Simulator. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Familiarity with ESP-r’s Simulator. |
Objectives: |
To investigate the range of analysis options. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Familiarity with some of the results analysis options. |
Objectives: |
The exercises to this point should have supplied you with a basic understanding of the requirements and procedures for the use of ESP-r. The following exercises now step through each aspect in more detail, particularly the problem definition phase. Exercise 8 is concerned with manipulation of the databases. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Familiarity with some of ESP-r’s databases. |
Objectives: |
To learn how to create the geometrical description of a zone. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Familiarity with ESP-r’s geometrical description of a zone. |
Objectives: |
To create the definition of the constructions that bound a zone. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Familiarity with ESP-r’s description of the constructions that bound a zone. |
Objectives: |
To learn how to enter the required information describing zone operations. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Familiarity with ESP-r’s description of zone operations. |
Objectives: |
To understand how zones connect (ESP-r contiguities) and the possibilities for defining external boundary conditions. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Familiarity with ESP-r’s description of how zones connect (contiguities) and the possibilities for defining external boundary conditions. |
Objectives: |
To become familiar with the ESP-r climate analysis facility and available climate databases. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Familiarity with ESP-r’s climate analysis facility and the available climate databases. |
Objectives: |
To familiarise the user with the control options available in ESP-r. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Familiarity with ESP-r’s control options. |
Objectives: |
To investigate additional simulation facilities. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Familiarity with some of ESP-r’s advanced simulation features. |
Objectives: |
To review the results analysis options and explore additional facilities. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Understanding of ESP-r’s results analysis options and additional facilities. |
Objectives: |
To consolidate the understanding of the overall procedure for undertaking simulations. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Consolidation of the understanding of the overall procedure for undertaking simulations. |
Objectives: |
To encourage you to view the files and program modules that lie behind the Project Manager. Knowledge is power ! |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Knowledge of the files and program modules that lie behind the Project Manager. |
Objectives: |
To enable the user to undertake an analysis of the shading on the external surfaces of a building, the insolation of internal surfaces, and to integrate the resulting time-varying factors into the simulation. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
To enable the user to undertake an analysis of the shading on the external surfaces of a building, the insolation of internal surfaces, and to integrate the resulting time-varying factors into the simulation. |
Objectives: |
To undertake a detailed study of mass flow in conjunction with thermal simulation. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Understanding of how to undertake a detailed study of mass flow in conjunction with thermal simulation. |
Objectives: |
To explore ESP-r’s facilities with respect to simplified and detailed plant and control modelling. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Initial experience of ESP-r’s facilities with respect to abstract versus explicit modelling of plant and control systems. |
Objectives: |
To undertake a study of an artificial lighting control system in conjunction with thermal simulation. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Understanding of how to undertake a study of artificial lighting control within a thermal simulation context. |
Objectives: |
To investigate optional facilities which may prove useful in projects with a specific technical focus. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Initial idea of some of ESP-r’s additional facilities. |
Objectives: |
To investigate ESP-r facilities which are prototypical at present but will be available for general release in the near future. |
Please note (and hopefully appreciate) that these facilities are still under development (often in the context of postgraduate projects).
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Appreciation of recent developments, ongoing work and features expected to mature in the near future. |
Objectives: |
To make a modification in the source code, recompile and test the program. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Appreciation of how to change algorithms and I/O structures with the ESP-r’s source code. |
Objectives: |
To become proficient in the creation and exchange of ESP-r models using CAD and product databases. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Appreciation of how to make realistic models, commission simulations, analyse results and prepare reports. |
Objectives: |
To explore ESP-r’s facilities for the creation of component networks defining fluid flow, plant and control systems. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Appreciation of how to define plant and control systems, associate fluid flow and integrate these definitions with the building model. |
Objectives: |
To explore ESP-r’s facilities for the enhancement of modelling resolution at particular points. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
Appreciation of how to increase the resolution of an ESP-r problem in order to model special processes, such as photovoltaic cells and moisture flow, or specific phenomena, such as intra-zone air movement or mould growth. |
Objectives: |
To undertake an integrated performance appraisal in which all aspects of performance are assessed. |
Procedure:
Outcome: |
An understanding of the elements of an integrated performance appraisal and how to extract these elements from ESP-r simulations. |