EcoTec simulation application

Ecotec is a complete environmental design tool which couples an intuitive 3D modeling interface with extensive solar, thermal, lighting, acoustic and cost analysis functions. ECOTECT is one of the few tools in which performance analysis is simple, accurate and most importantly, visually responsive. ECOTECT is driven by the concept that environmental design principles are most effectively addressed during the conceptual stages of design. The software responds to this by providing essential visual and analytical feedback from even the simplest sketch model, progressively guiding the design process as more detailed information becomes available. Ecotec application utilizes the building geometry created in the Revit. In order to utilize this model created by the designers in Revit, it need to be exported into the CAD format (DXF file) within Revit, and then imported into the Ecotec application. This application can be used to perform a variety of analysis such as, solar study, overshadowing, thermal design and analysis, heating and cooling loads, prevailing winds, natural and artificial lighting, life cycle assessment, life cycle costing, scheduling, geometric and statistical acoustic analysis etc. Following is the snapshot of hourly temperature variation within the building:




However the main drawback in this process is that the element id is completely lost in the model, meaning that the door or window is no more recognized in the DXF file format. All the elements are represented only in the form of CAD geometry in the form of lines. We can no longer select the elements in the 3D model within the Ecotec. Thus it is recommended to create the building geometry once again within this application manually. In this case, whatever models that are generated by the designers can no longer be useful for performing any type of analysis within the Ecotec application and thus will make the design process time consuming and expensive. Another limitation of this application is that it assumes similar atmospheric conditions throughout the building area. It calculates the heat gain/loss based on the square footage per person that we can specify, but this figure is assumed to be equal for all parts of the building. In real situation, no part of the building will have equal square footage occupied by the people. Some parts of the building will have more area per person and thus the atmospheric behaviors will change drastically in such cases. Also the energy consumption calculation are based on the weather file that is required to be stored on a local computer. If we need to import the 3D model from another application such as GBS, the application does not allow to select the project location and weather data file and will assume a random location and weather file. It allows to make such selections only when we create all together a new project within eQuest along with a new 3D model.