glassAdvisor is a commercial web-App that supports professionals in the design of glazing systems. Among the different calculation modules, i.e. acoustics, statics, and energy transfer, a new thermal module has been developed for the detailed calculation of glazing systems including shading devices. This last feature increased the tool’s potentiality in calculating complex transparent façade elements, which today is of major importance for the correct design of the new façade technologies available in the market. Additionally, static calculations with fixed winter/summer boundary conditions are not sufficient for understanding the real behavior of the façade. In this context, the opportunity offered by Open Data in retrieving reliable climatic data, such as air temperature and irradiance, is of great importance. The use of the Open Data combined with the detailed calculation for the façade design in the tool glassAdvisor will be presented.

1. Giuseppe De Michele, Luca Papaiz, Stefano Avesani
12.11.22
“Open Data” for a conscious design
of transparent façade system

2. Introduction

3. Introduction

4. Introduction

5. Thermal and optical simulation tools
Limitations of current tools :
o Too simplified, WINDOW cannot handle mechanical
ventilation or dynamic BC
o Too complex, build a model of the zone for a study
on the façade, generate the input file of the shading
system
o Even too complex, CFD simulation
o Lack of straightforward workflow (from system
configuration to simulation)
-> require strong competences
-> more than one tool is often required
-> tools limited to thermal/optical analysis (acoustic,
thermal stress analysis are missing)
-> Natural ventilation is “an open point”
Berkeley Lab
WINDOW 8.0
Introduction

6. https://www.glassadvisor.com/
The App for simulating glazing and solar shading system

7. glassAdvisor

8. glassAdvisor
FACADEgis
ITA-AUT FACEcamp project
gA 360
Fusion Grant project

9. Build the
window +
shading system
FACEDEgis
Select the
location -> real
meteo condition
gA360
Simulate with a
detailed
thermal-optical
model
glassAdvisor
Detailed thermal/energy
information considering the
real climate of the project:
• System temperatures
(hottest-coldest layers)
• Thermal fluxes
• Direct solar transmission
Useful for:
• Thermal shock analysis
• Maximum components
temperatures verification
• Thermal comfort and energy
load

10. gA 360 - Complex shading system simulation
- Complex Fenestration System CFS are those system that includes non-specular layers
- Thermal and optical calculation based on ISO 15099
- Build your own model allows to correct bugs and offers a major flexibility in use (adding features)
- Sharing of information and with other institutions and software developer

11. gA 360 - Complex shading system simulation
Validated against detailed models and state-of-the-art tools for different window configurations
Glazing
Glazing + shading
Window configurations:
2-pane glz
3-pane glz
1-pane ext
1-pane int
2-pane ext
2-pane integrated
2-pane int
3-pane integ sh 1
3-pane integ sh 2

12. FAÇADEgis
Temperature- Pressure
ECMWF ERA5 database:
re-analysis from satellite
measurements
Irradiance
Model-based,
Simplified Solis clear sky
Environmental boundary conditions for facades simulations

13. Vertical Irradiance data comparison
FAÇADEgis
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111622

14. Application
Irradiance
[W/m2]
Temperature
[°C]
Simplified
Solis
PVGIS
SARAH
PVGIS
Clear sky
Tint Text
Bolzano
(West) 18th July 16:00
850 764 737 24 37

15. Application
Irradiance
[W/m2]
Temperature
[°C]
Simplified
Solis
PVGIS
SARAH
PVGIS
Clear sky
Tint Text
Bolzano
(West) 18th July 16:00
850 764 737 24 37

16. Application
Irradiance
[W/m2]
Temperature
[°C]
Simplified
Solis
PVGIS
SARAH
PVGIS
Clear sky
Tint Text
Bolzano
(West) 18th July 16:00
850 764 737 24 37
7°C in the extreme temperature
range (70°C - 110°C)

17. Conclusion
Glazing and
shading model
Close-to-reality
BC
Detailed
simulations
Reliable results
• Validated thermal-optical model based on ISO 15099
• Closed to reality boundary conditions for irradiance,
temperature and pressure are retrieved from open-data and
calibrated models
• On top of standard calculations (e.g. U-value, g-value,…),
glassAdvisor offers a straightforward workflow for a more
conscious façade design by giving important insight on
thermal stress, maximum temperatures, energy loads and
comfort

18. glassAdvisor lite

19. Thanks for you attention
Giuseppe De Michele – Eurac Research
giuseppe.demichele@eurac.edu
Luca Papaiz - glassAdvisor
info@glassadvisor.com