Session: 02-03 Building Management and Control

Paper Number: 106807

106807 - Occupant Behavior Modeling for Building Performance Simulation: Review of the Recent Advances and Research Trends 

Occupant behavior modeling for building performance simulation: Review of the recent advances and research trends

Omar Ahmed ¹, Nurettin Sezer ², Mohamed Ouf ¹, Liangzhu (Leon) Wang ¹, Ibrahim Galal Hassan ^2,*

1 = Centre for Zero Energy Building Studies, Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1M8, Canada

2 = Mechanical Engineering Program, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Engineering Building, Education City, Al Rayyan, P.O. Box 23874, Doha, Qatar

* = Corresponding author details, ibrahim.hassan@qatar.tamu.edu

Abstract

Occupant behavior (OB) is one of the key determinants in building energy use. Therefore, OB modeling in Building Performance Simulation (BPS) requires significant attention to acquire accurate and reliable BPS results. Nonetheless, OB has usually been taken into account in a simplistic manner, leading to a considerable performance gap between actual and simulated building energy use. Although numerous review articles on various elements of OB are available, there is still need for a thorough review which combines and evaluates recent studies in one literature and presents the available data in a proper format. Accordingly, in this review, the most recent research on different aspects of OB in BPS is aggregated, evaluated, and summarized. Available OB models and their application in BPS tools are outlined. A summary of the data collection methods utilized in OB modelling is provided. Common quantitative OB modelling methodologies in BPS are discussed. The primary uses, benefits and shortcomings of each modeling methodology is explained. The available literature on the impact of various OB patterns and occupant interaction with building systems is assessed. In summary, this work presents a state-of-the-art of OB models in BPS, allowing researchers and practitioners to select and implement appropriate OB models in accessible BPS tools.

Keywords: Occupant behavior, occupant behavior models, occupancy, occupant interactions, building performance simulation, building energy conservation.

Presenting Author: Omar Ahmed Concordia University

Presenting Author Biography: Omar Is a M.Sc. student in the department of Building, Civil and Environmental engineering, Concordia university, Canada with current research focused on urban scale building energy modeling and optimizing the accuracy of UBEMs.