IES <Virtual Environment> Live e-training

Trainee notes
Apache (Version 6) Session A

Introduction
In this session you will be shown how to populate a <Virtual Environment> project with construction
and thermal template data 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
(and thermal load calculations if applicable).

Opening a previously created <Virtual Environment> project

First you will be shown how to open a previously created project.

The Building Template Manager

The Building Template Manager is located in the <VE> menu Templates option in the VE menu

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

Building Template Manager creating constructions

Constructional information can be found in the Apache Constructions Database

Constructions are split up into multiple categories for both opaque and glazed constructions

Construction data can be viewed by double clicking the construction

Construction data can be created in two main ways

1. Select a construction from IES <VE> construction database
2. Create new/edit existing construction
To select a construction from IES <VE> construction database; select system constructions

Select construction (double click to view) copy & paste or copy directly to category

To create a new construction:

Double click the new wall construction

(Note from this point on this is equivalent to editing an existing construction)

New materials can be added by using (pre-defined) system materials

Select required material

Copy the material

Then add to the construction

The construction manipulation buttons help create the constructions

Constructional data can also be edited

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Building Template Manager creating construction templates

Add a new (additional) template

Make changes to construction

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Construction templates can be set during model geometry creation

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Building Template Manager (Thermal Conditions) setting Profiles

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:

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Graphical creation of daily profiles:

Select new in the daily profiles list

Select graphical

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Create the profile graphically

Daily profiles can also be edited by changing the tabular data

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Creating weekly profiles

Creating annual profiles

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Building Template Manager creating thermal templates

Thermal templates are controlled by five tabs in the BTM.

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Room conditions

HVAC System

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Changing system parameters

Editing system information

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Choosing pre-built systems

Internal gains
Internal gains can be added to the current template

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Air exchanges
Air exchanges can be added to the current template

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Building Regulations
Setting Building Regulations type and activity

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Building Template Manager importing templates

Templates from previous projects (or from a ready-to-use database supplied with the IES software)
can be imported into the current project.

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Setting template data for the model

Template data can be set at the point of creating model geometry within ModelIT

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