Integrated Building Performance Simulation

Course offered by the Graduate Programs in Mechanical Engineering (PPGEM) and Smart and Sustainable Cities (PPGCIS) at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR).

Areas of Interest: Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, Architecture and Urban Planning, and other fields.

Course instructors: Nathan Mendes, Walter Mazuroski, Luciano Ayres de Mello, and Marcos Batistella Lopes.

Course Description

This course explores the physical principles governing heat, air, moisture, and energy processes in buildings, emphasizing their role in building performance, energy efficiency, indoor air quality (IAQ), renewable energy integration, and sustainability. The course introduces integrated simulation approaches for analyzing the interactions among building components, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems, occupants, and the surrounding environment. Special emphasis is placed on co-simulation and interoperable modeling using the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) standard, enabling the integration of multiple simulation tools and domains. Applications extend from individual buildings to districts and urban energy systems, providing the foundations for advanced research in sustainable buildings, energy transition, and future Digital Twin applications. The course combines theoretical foundations, computational modeling, hands-on simulation, and current research challenges in building performance and sustainable cities.

Place and Time

Location: To be determined (hybrid classes).

When: 2026 2nd semester

Wednesday, from 3pm to 5pm (BRT), on the following dates:

• August: 12, 19, and 26
• September: 02, 09, 16, and 23
• October: 07, 14, 21, and 28
• November: 04, 11, and 18

Saturday, from 9am to 12pm (BRT), on the following dates:

• October: 03
• October: 10

Workload

45 hours (3 credits)

Objectives

• Understand the physical principles governing integrated building performance;
• Develop and apply simulation and co-simulation models using interoperable computational tools;
• Assess building performance in terms of energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and moisture-related phenomena;
• Apply computational modeling to support the design, operation, and optimizazion.

Tentative Topics of Study

Topics may be adjusted according to the interests of the students, ongoing research projects, and the expertise of participants.

Fundamentals (Nathan Mendes)

• Building physics fundamentals, including heat, air and moisture transfer processes
• Mass and energy balances in buildings and urban systems

Energy and Thermal Performance and Simulation (Nathan Mendes)

• Building envelope performance
• HVAC systems modeling and performance
• Thermal comfort
• Moisture-related risks
• Building energy performance evaluation

Co-Simulation and Interoperability (Walter Mazuroski)

• Co-simulation concepts and frameworks
• Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) and Functional Mock-up Units (FMUs)
• Data exchange and interoperability
• Applications: Integration of building, HVAC, urban climate, and energy system models

IAQ and Co-simulation for assessment of contaminants (Marcos Batistella Lopes)

• Fundamentals of Indoor Air Quality
• Smart ventilation
• Contam
• Indoor air quality assessment
• Domus-Contam Co-Simulation

Emerging Research topics, Applications and Case Studies (All lecturers)

• Co-Simulation BPS-CFD
• High-performance buildings
• Net-zero and positive-energy buildings
• Urban Heat Island mitigation strategies
• Energy efficiency
• Energy transition in the city scale
• Anthropogenic heat emissions
• Positive Energy Districts
• Urban energy transition scenarios
• Climate change adaptation strategies
• Digital Twins for buildings, districts, and cities

Simulation Tools

• DOMUS/EnergyPlus - building energy simulation
• CONTAM – airflow and indoor air quality analysis
• Python / MATLAB – data processing, model integration, parametric studies, and optimization
• Additional simulation, co-simulation platforms according to project requirements

Evaluation

• 30% Computer assignments, simulations, projects, and exercises
• 15% Seminar presentation
• 35% Scientific article
• 20% Examination

Additional evaluation methods may be adopted depending on class size and course dynamics.

References

1. Hagentoft, C.-E. Introduction to Building Physics. Studentlitteratur, Lund, 2001.
2. Hens, H. Building Physics: Heat, Air and Moisture – Fundamentals and Engineering Methods with Examples and Exercises. Ernst & Sohn, 3rd Edition, 2017.
3. Mendes, N.; Chhay, M.; Berger, J.; Dutykh, D. Numerical Methods for Diffusion Phenomena in Building Physics: A Practical Introduction. Springer, 2019.
4. ASHRAE Handbook Fundamentals. Latest Edition.
5. Selected journal papers on Building Performance Simulation, Heat and Moisture Transfer, Urban Energy Systems, Positive Energy Districts, Digital Twins, and Sustainable Cities.
6. Ongoing international collaborative research projects.