From Building Information Model to Digital Twin: A Framework for Building Thermal Comfort Monitoring, Visualizing, and Assessment

Giuseppe Desogus;Caterina Frau;Emanuela Quaquero

;Giulia Rubiu

2023-01-01

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Abstract

The existing building stock is globally responsible for 17.5% of Greenhouse Gas emissions due to their operation to achieve the occupants’ satisfaction, so it requires a vast intervention. However, the reduction of building stock emissions and the optimization of its energy performance cannot be considered independently by the users’ well-being. The thermal comfort conditions and their monitoring represent a central issue that could optimize building energy usage while achieving good indoor environmental conditions. This document describes the first findings of an ongoing research focused on the development of a building monitoring system, based on the integration of Building Information Modelling tools and sensor technology through Dynamo Visual Programming. Starting from the development of the Asset Information Model which represents the virtual replica of a building that currently hosts the administrative offices of the Municipality of Cagliari, the first step presented in this contribution shows a thermal comfort monitoring system, scalable and modular, that allows effective gathering and elaborating of data about comfort levels in each building’s room. The system proves to be a helpful support for the facility managers to control building thermal comfort conditions and HVAC systems to assure their best operative status or plan suitable interventions to achieve it.