Automated Code Compliance Checking of Building Envelope Performance

The need to satisfy many functional requirements makes building envelope performance assessment difficult. Furthermore, complexity and diversity of building regulations make the understanding of building codes and regulations a complicated task. This paper presents a method for automatically checking building code compliance according to the simulation results of building envelope performance. Firstly, building codes or regulations are represented as a knowledge base using decision tables in XML (Extensible Markup Language). Then, building envelope information is extracted from an IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) digital building model. Simulation programs are used to simulate the functional performance of building envelopes under variable exterior conditions. Finally, a prototype system HAMBE (Heat, Air and Moisture performance of Building Envelope) is developed for automated building code compliance checking. With the aid of this application, the automated building code compliance checking can help architects, engineers and other users query building codes and regulations quickly and efficiently.