IES <Virtual Environment> Training

Trainee notes

ApacheSim and ApacheCalc

VE 2014

Session A

Introduction
In this session you will be shown how to populate a <Virtual Environment> project with thermal
template data and constructions in preparation for performing dynamic thermal simulations
(ApacheSim), thermal load calculations (ApacheCalc or ApacheLoads) or UK/Republic of Ireland
compliance analyses using the <VE Compliance tools.

The session will explain the concept of the Building Template Manager (BTM).

The trainer will show you how to perform various functions as shown in the following pages, and
images are included to assist you in following the trainer as the session proceeds, and to act as a
memory jogger after the session.

For more detailed help you can use the Help menu within the specific IES application, and also you
can refer to the product manuals installed with the IES software.

In Session B (if applicable to you) you will be shown how to apply construction and thermal data to
the building within the Apache view, and how to modify this data for the building. You will see how to
set fuel carbon emission data, site and location data, and how to run dynamic thermal simulations.

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Opening a previously created <Virtual Environment> project
First you will be shown how to open a previously created project.

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The Building Template Manager
The Building Template Manager (BTM) is accessed via the <VE> Tools menu, or via the BTM icon.

The BTM controls building level template information for a number of aspects of the project.

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Thermal Conditions templates – creating profiles
Profiles can be created and edited via the Apache Profiles Database (APpro) which can be accessed
via the Thermal Conditions templates as shown on Page 3. Profiles control usage patterns
throughout the <Virtual Environment>.

Profiles should be created for daily, weekly and annual usage patterns. There are pre-built (system)
profiles which you can import into your project

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Graphical creation of daily profiles

Select ‘New’ in the daily profiles list

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Select ‘graphical’ to create the profile graphically

Choose between the

options to Insert, Move
or Delete Points.

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Daily profiles can also be edited by changing the tabular data:

Creating weekly profiles

Creating annual profiles

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Creating thermal templates

Thermal templates are controlled by five tabs in the BTM. We don’t need to use the Building
Regulations tab in this session as it is only relevant to IES’s UK regulations software.

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Room conditions tab

System tab

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You will see how to create and edit HVAC system information using the Apache Systems dialogue.

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You can choose pre-built systems which have been provided as an option if required:

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Internal gains tab

Internal gains can be added to the selected template.

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Air exchanges tab

Air exchanges can be added to the current template.

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Importing templates or selected data from previous projects
Templates or selected data from previous projects can be imported into the current project.

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Constructions Templates - creating constructions
Constructions for the project can be created and edited via the Apache Constructions Database
(APcdb) which can be accessed via the Constructions templates

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Constructions are split up into multiple categories for both thermal and non-thermal constructions.

Construction data can be viewed or edited by double clicking the ID column of the construction:

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Construction data can be created in different ways. You can select a ready-made construction from
the System database, create a new construction or edit an existing construction.

To select a construction from the System database; select View>System constructions. The System
Constructions window will appear.

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From the Systems Constructions window, select the required constructions by ticking them (double
click to view if needed) then copy the selected constructions to the Project Constructions window
using the Copy option.

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To create a new construction, click the “Add a New Construction” button in the Project Constructions
window:
:

To edit the new construction, double click in the ID column of the new construction (note from this
point on, this is equivalent to editing an existing construction).

You can also add or edit constructions from the menu to the left of the window:

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Select the required material from the category chosen in the Material Category list (if you are creating
a glazed construction, use the ‘Glass’ category of materials).

Select the required material:

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Copy the material:

Then add the material to the construction using the Add button. The other construction manipulation
buttons help to edit the construction as required. You can create a cavity using the Cavity button.

Note: construction layers are defined from outside to inside.

Material thickness and material properties can also be edited when building up the construction.

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The parameters of the entire construction can be viewed.

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Introduction to the Tabular Building Template Manager

The Tabular BTM allows you to rapidly inspect the thermal conditions templates in your project. It
provides you with a fast and efficient way to edit template attributes in your model.

Customizable columns allow you to choose exactly which variables you want to see. Sorting allows
you to sort all grid data either ascending or descending by any column. Filtering allows you to only
display templates which pass one or more different criteria.
You can copy data from template tabs, allowing you to externally edit the values for your building
templates (e.g. using Microsoft Excel) and then paste the changes back into the Tabular BTM.

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