Dynamic thermal simulation based on building information modeling: A review

With the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution and extensive promotion of information communication tools, it is on the construction industry to reconsider the current linear design approach and adopt more integrated design approaches that encompass dynamic thermal simulation. Building information modeling (BIM), without a doubt, is a technology, which proposes an integrated practice for building design. Design team using BIM cooperatively work on each activity loop during the design procedure and present a three-dimensional (3D) design model with all data from various disciplines attached at the final stage. The inclusion of a data-rich 3D shape into the design procedure marks the dynamic thermal simulation as a simple, accessible, and, more importantly, decisive stage. This article aims to draw the role of BIM in facilitating the inclusion of dynamic thermal simulation in building design procedures. BIM in this article is introduced as an effective remedy for dealing with the linear nature of conventional building design that is the major impediment to the inclusion of dynamic thermal simulations in the design efforts. This article goes through the conventional method's deficiencies and challenges with the BIM-based method to portray each approach's advantages and disadvantages. Renowned BIM software, interoperable simulation tools, and their distinguishing characteristics are introduced in summary to give a better insight into the application of BIM for dynamic thermal simulation purposes. Additionally, a literature survey on applying the introduced tools is conducted to derive the possible BIM-based mechanisms for thermal performance and comfort analysis. This article concludes that, regardless of interoperability issues, BIM by coordination of building data and information in a consistent framework significantly facilitates data collection procedure for conducting dynamic thermal simulations. In combination with data collection and interoperable simulation tools, BIM tools provide novel mechanisms for dynamic thermal performance and comfort analysis. Highlights Traditional and BIM-based building design procedures have been reviewed. The role of iterative simulation in BIM-based simulation has been elaborated. A BIM-based framework for building design has been provided. BIM-based approaches for thermal performance and comfort analysis have been reviewed.