Publications
2016
Langevin, Jared; Wen, Jin; Gurian, Patrick L.
Quantifying the human–building interaction: Considering the active, adaptive occupant in building performance simulation Journal Article
In: Energy and Buildings, vol. 117, pp. 372-386, 2016, ISSN: 0378-7788.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Agent-based modeling, Building performance modeling, Co-simulation, Occupant behavior, Thermal comfort
@article{LANGEVIN2016372,
title = {Quantifying the human–building interaction: Considering the active, adaptive occupant in building performance simulation},
author = {Jared Langevin and Jin Wen and Patrick L. Gurian},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037877881530267X},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.09.026},
issn = {0378-7788},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
journal = {Energy and Buildings},
volume = {117},
pages = {372-386},
abstract = {This paper introduces a Human and Building Interaction Toolkit (HABIT) for simulating the thermally adaptive behaviors and comfort of office occupants alongside building energy consumption. The toolkit uses the Building Controls Virtual Test Bed (BCVTB) to co-simulate a field-tested, agent-based behavior model with an EnergyPlus medium office model. The usefulness of the toolkit is demonstrated through a series of zone and building-level case study simulations that examine the wisdom of pairing local heating and cooling options with strategic thermostat set point offsets, judging from the energy, Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), and cost perspectives. Results generally suggest that trading efficient local heating/cooling options for whole space conditioning has both energy and comfort benefits, saving up to 28% of monthly HVAC energy while improving the acceptability of thermal conditions in a Philadelphia climate. Nevertheless, cost analysis shows that the fuel source of conserved energy must be considered – particularly in the case of personal heater use, which adds to electric plug loads and associated utility and CO2 emissions cost penalties. Moreover, costs from even small changes in simulated occupant productivity tend to overwhelm energy costs, suggesting the need to improve the accuracy and precision of available productivity models across multiple seasons and climates.},
keywords = {Agent-based modeling, Building performance modeling, Co-simulation, Occupant behavior, Thermal comfort},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This paper introduces a Human and Building Interaction Toolkit (HABIT) for simulating the thermally adaptive behaviors and comfort of office occupants alongside building energy consumption. The toolkit uses the Building Controls Virtual Test Bed (BCVTB) to co-simulate a field-tested, agent-based behavior model with an EnergyPlus medium office model. The usefulness of the toolkit is demonstrated through a series of zone and building-level case study simulations that examine the wisdom of pairing local heating and cooling options with strategic thermostat set point offsets, judging from the energy, Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), and cost perspectives. Results generally suggest that trading efficient local heating/cooling options for whole space conditioning has both energy and comfort benefits, saving up to 28% of monthly HVAC energy while improving the acceptability of thermal conditions in a Philadelphia climate. Nevertheless, cost analysis shows that the fuel source of conserved energy must be considered – particularly in the case of personal heater use, which adds to electric plug loads and associated utility and CO2 emissions cost penalties. Moreover, costs from even small changes in simulated occupant productivity tend to overwhelm energy costs, suggesting the need to improve the accuracy and precision of available productivity models across multiple seasons and climates.
2015
Langevin, Jared; Wen, Jin; Gurian, Patrick L.
Simulating the human-building interaction: Development and validation of an agent-based model of office occupant behaviors Journal Article
In: Building and Environment, vol. 88, pp. 27-45, 2015, ISSN: 0360-1323, (Interactions between human and building environment).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Agent-based modeling, Human-building interaction, Occupant behavior, Thermal acceptability, Thermal comfort
@article{LANGEVIN201527,
title = {Simulating the human-building interaction: Development and validation of an agent-based model of office occupant behaviors},
author = {Jared Langevin and Jin Wen and Patrick L. Gurian},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132314004090},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.11.037},
issn = {0360-1323},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Building and Environment},
volume = {88},
pages = {27-45},
abstract = {This paper develops and validates an agent-based model (ABM) of occupant behavior using data from a one-year field study in a medium-sized, air-conditioned office building. The full ABM is presented in detail using a standard protocol for describing this type of model. Simulated occupant “agents” in the full ABM behave according to Perceptual Control Theory, taking the most immediate, unconstrained adaptive behaviors as needed to maintain their current thermal sensation within a reference range of seasonally acceptable sensations. ABM validation assigns simulated agents the personal characteristics and environmental context of real office occupants in the field study; executes the model; and compares the model's ability to predict observed fan, heater, and window use to the predictive abilities of several other behavior modeling options. The predictive performance of the full ABM compares favorably to that of the other modeling options on both the individual and aggregate outcome levels. The full ABM also appears capable of reproducing more familiar regression relationships between behavior and the local thermal environment. The paper concludes with a discussion of the model's current limitations and possibilities for future development.},
note = {Interactions between human and building environment},
keywords = {Agent-based modeling, Human-building interaction, Occupant behavior, Thermal acceptability, Thermal comfort},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This paper develops and validates an agent-based model (ABM) of occupant behavior using data from a one-year field study in a medium-sized, air-conditioned office building. The full ABM is presented in detail using a standard protocol for describing this type of model. Simulated occupant “agents” in the full ABM behave according to Perceptual Control Theory, taking the most immediate, unconstrained adaptive behaviors as needed to maintain their current thermal sensation within a reference range of seasonally acceptable sensations. ABM validation assigns simulated agents the personal characteristics and environmental context of real office occupants in the field study; executes the model; and compares the model’s ability to predict observed fan, heater, and window use to the predictive abilities of several other behavior modeling options. The predictive performance of the full ABM compares favorably to that of the other modeling options on both the individual and aggregate outcome levels. The full ABM also appears capable of reproducing more familiar regression relationships between behavior and the local thermal environment. The paper concludes with a discussion of the model’s current limitations and possibilities for future development.