We are trying to evaluate the best way of meeting this requirement through Option 1 - Simulation according to the latest (May 2011) Addenda changes (min. 10 fc on Sept. 21 at 9 am and 3 pm under clear sky conditions).
We have the project modeled in Sketchup.
My initial thought was to export from Sketchup into Daysim, but I understand there will be a problem with the sensor file and we'll need to create a text file (?). We have Ecotect and can import the .3ds file from the Sketchup Model and then export into Daysim.
I've also learned that Radiance will do the same analysis as Daysim.
Thoughts? What are other design teams using to meet this credit? Thanks in advance.
TODD REED
Energy Program SpecialistPA DMVA
LEEDuser Expert
890 thumbs up
August 4, 2011 - 7:24 am
Susan,
What you need to simulate is footcandles to meet the credit requirements. Daysim provides daylight autonomy ratios, which are based upon a whole year worth of sky conditions and not just one time step. Radiance does not simulate daylight autonomy like Daysim, but Daysim does use a Radiance engine.
My suggestion to you, and this is if you have Sketchup Pro, export the model into a dxf or other compatible format. Import into Ecotec, and then run the lighting analysis with the export to Radiance. You can then import the Radiance file back into Ecotec. The numbers will be in Lux, so in the import data table, you will have to revise the equation to convert the incoming lux to footcandles. You can also leave it at lux and explain to the reviewer in narrative the lux levels which meet the requirement.
Hope that helps
James Geers
Architect, LEED AP, Director of Sustainable DesignSFA Architects Inc.
3 thumbs up
November 24, 2014 - 12:01 pm
the lighting analysis tools of 3d Studiomax are easy to use and you can pick your location, time of day and sky conditions such as Perez all weather sky or import an EPW file to base the calculations on actual weather conditions on a particular day.