Comsol Case Studies Optimizing the Performance of Complex Building Façades

	Optimizing the Performance of Complex Building Façades Comsol

Optimizing the Performance of Complex Building Façades

Comsol

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization
Applicable Industries	Construction & Infrastructure
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Building Automation & Control Building Energy Management Predictive Maintenance
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration Training
Challenge	Dynamic, textural, and symbolic; whether they ambitiously defy gravity or grow organically from the landscape, iconic buildings frequently involve complex façades. Designed not only to protect, they also regulate variables such as thermal and visual comfort. From solar studies that allow optimization of the shading design in order to reduce cooling loads and maximize visual comfort, to the way in which fixing brackets for rainscreen cladding affect the integrity of the insulation, there are numerous challenges that can be resolved with the help of simulation. Read More
About Customer	Newtecnic is a specialist in designing and analyzing façade systems for high-profile public projects. They regularly collaborate with Zaha Hadid Architects, known for their bold architectural forms. Newtecnic’s founders, Andrew Watts and Yasmin Watts, have worked on prominent projects like Federation Square in Melbourne and the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Baku. The company focuses on ensuring that innovative building façades are both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound. They use advanced simulation tools to address the complex challenges involved in façade design, ensuring that each project retains its creative vision while meeting structural and environmental requirements. Read More
Solution	The COMSOL Multiphysics software has become a key tool for Newtecnic. It allows them to study the 3D thermal bridging effect, evaluate the maximum temperature of components, and suggest suitable products or materials. They can also evaluate cladding pressures and study complex façades with both mechanical and natural ventilation. Using the CAD import functionality in COMSOL, they import complex geometries from Autodesk AutoCAD and Rhinoceros software. The use of Autodesk Revit is increasing, and the new LiveLink for Revit addon allows them to interface their simulations with the Revit environment. They also use parametric design tools like Grasshopper to build and analyze complex geometries using generative algorithms. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization

Applicable Industries

Construction & Infrastructure

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Building Automation & Control

Building Energy Management

Predictive Maintenance

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Training

Challenge

Dynamic, textural, and symbolic; whether they ambitiously defy gravity or grow organically from the landscape, iconic buildings frequently involve complex façades. Designed not only to protect, they also regulate variables such as thermal and visual comfort. From solar studies that allow optimization of the shading design in order to reduce cooling loads and maximize visual comfort, to the way in which fixing brackets for rainscreen cladding affect the integrity of the insulation, there are numerous challenges that can be resolved with the help of simulation.

About Customer

Newtecnic is a specialist in designing and analyzing façade systems for high-profile public projects. They regularly collaborate with Zaha Hadid Architects, known for their bold architectural forms. Newtecnic’s founders, Andrew Watts and Yasmin Watts, have worked on prominent projects like Federation Square in Melbourne and the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Baku. The company focuses on ensuring that innovative building façades are both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound. They use advanced simulation tools to address the complex challenges involved in façade design, ensuring that each project retains its creative vision while meeting structural and environmental requirements.

Solution

The COMSOL Multiphysics software has become a key tool for Newtecnic. It allows them to study the 3D thermal bridging effect, evaluate the maximum temperature of components, and suggest suitable products or materials. They can also evaluate cladding pressures and study complex façades with both mechanical and natural ventilation. Using the CAD import functionality in COMSOL, they import complex geometries from Autodesk AutoCAD and Rhinoceros software. The use of Autodesk Revit is increasing, and the new LiveLink for Revit addon allows them to interface their simulations with the Revit environment. They also use parametric design tools like Grasshopper to build and analyze complex geometries using generative algorithms.

Impact #1	Simulation allows Newtecnic to validate design updates and demonstrate the effects of changes on energy efficiency, structural performance, and component lifecycle.
Impact #2	Simulation enables Newtecnic to think in terms of multifunctional components and the building as a whole, moving away from traditional building philosophies.
Impact #3	Simulation results are fully integrated with drawings, making budget estimates clear and comprehensive.

Impact #1

Simulation allows Newtecnic to validate design updates and demonstrate the effects of changes on energy efficiency, structural performance, and component lifecycle.

Impact #2

Simulation enables Newtecnic to think in terms of multifunctional components and the building as a whole, moving away from traditional building philosophies.

Impact #3

Simulation results are fully integrated with drawings, making budget estimates clear and comprehensive.

Benefit #1	The use of COMSOL Multiphysics software allows for the evaluation of the global heat transfer coefficient (U-value) of the façade.
Benefit #2	Simulation helps in optimizing shading design to reduce cooling loads, enhancing energy efficiency.

Benefit #1

The use of COMSOL Multiphysics software allows for the evaluation of the global heat transfer coefficient (U-value) of the façade.

Benefit #2

Simulation helps in optimizing shading design to reduce cooling loads, enhancing energy efficiency.

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Overview

Optimizing the Performance of Complex Building Façades

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit