HVAC pipe network performance visualisation
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: Civil and Building Engineering
Abstract
The main aim of this project is to compare the performance of various HVAC pipes and to develop guidance and digital tools for the design and installation of HVAC pipe network. The objectives are identifying the best practice and design of HVAC pipe network for low energy buildings. Also to investigate the in situ performance of various digital sensors (already developed through other Tata steel projects) and pipework linked to BIM and VR to improve the design and operation of HVAC pipes.
This proposal will operate the BISPA training rigs and collect data for corrosions for different type and tube sizes. These data will then be linked to BIM. Different BIM models will be then visualised in Virtual Reality for better understanding of design, operation and maintenance of HVAC systems. The VR will show future corrosion of different pipes and the effect of installation and tube type on long term performance of the tubes. The research will be carried out through tests and measurements mainly in the Civil laboratory using the Tata steel rig as well as industrial partner's test facilities. Testing will involve circulating water at controlled temperatures and flow rates, through various pipes/joints with and without novel insulation and digital sensors. Measurement will allow for the calculation of heat and pressure losses; findings will be compared with empirical correlations and, if required, new correlations will be developed. The PhD student is expected to work with industrial partners in particular Tata steel and partly manage BISPA.
Currently at LU a new Virtual reality Dome sponsored by several schools including CBE and computer Sciences are being set up for research and teaching. We have developed various pipe networks based on the BISPA experimental set up in Revit MEP and connected up to HTC Vive Virtual Reality system. This PhD project will develop toolkits to connect sensory data from the rigs to BIM and VR for integrated design purposes. This will help to visualise various design and help the building services to integrate with architectures at early stage.
Different sensors for early detection and location of water leakage, corrosions and faults in the systems that can reduce maintenance will be identified by carrying out different tests using the BISPA rigs. The suitable software for linking smart pipes to BIM will be developed.
The outcome of the research will be interactive and smart pipe systems that improve the design and operation of HVAC systems. This research will provide guidelines for the early design and sizing pipework to improve the HVAC performance and promote correct sizing of the HVAC tubing. This multidisciplinary project with computer science school and Tata steel will provide a good opportunity for impact case study for REF2020 . The activities also include a number of industrial partners located in both the UK and EU, and may require additional travel.
This proposal will operate the BISPA training rigs and collect data for corrosions for different type and tube sizes. These data will then be linked to BIM. Different BIM models will be then visualised in Virtual Reality for better understanding of design, operation and maintenance of HVAC systems. The VR will show future corrosion of different pipes and the effect of installation and tube type on long term performance of the tubes. The research will be carried out through tests and measurements mainly in the Civil laboratory using the Tata steel rig as well as industrial partner's test facilities. Testing will involve circulating water at controlled temperatures and flow rates, through various pipes/joints with and without novel insulation and digital sensors. Measurement will allow for the calculation of heat and pressure losses; findings will be compared with empirical correlations and, if required, new correlations will be developed. The PhD student is expected to work with industrial partners in particular Tata steel and partly manage BISPA.
Currently at LU a new Virtual reality Dome sponsored by several schools including CBE and computer Sciences are being set up for research and teaching. We have developed various pipe networks based on the BISPA experimental set up in Revit MEP and connected up to HTC Vive Virtual Reality system. This PhD project will develop toolkits to connect sensory data from the rigs to BIM and VR for integrated design purposes. This will help to visualise various design and help the building services to integrate with architectures at early stage.
Different sensors for early detection and location of water leakage, corrosions and faults in the systems that can reduce maintenance will be identified by carrying out different tests using the BISPA rigs. The suitable software for linking smart pipes to BIM will be developed.
The outcome of the research will be interactive and smart pipe systems that improve the design and operation of HVAC systems. This research will provide guidelines for the early design and sizing pipework to improve the HVAC performance and promote correct sizing of the HVAC tubing. This multidisciplinary project with computer science school and Tata steel will provide a good opportunity for impact case study for REF2020 . The activities also include a number of industrial partners located in both the UK and EU, and may require additional travel.
