Historically, analysis on the response of a building to a significant disruption such as a natural disaster, fire or terrorism has required evacuation drills and similar real-world simulations.  For large structures, real-world simulations often are impractical and generally considered an unwelcome interruption by building personnel.  Small-scale simulations, such as determining how many people can traverse a staircase in a given period of time, have been useful in improving responses to potential emergencies.  However, use of such information is limited because it is building-specific and not integrated with the systems of the building.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a set of computerized information maintained throughout the life of a building.  It includes geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information and properties of building components, and can be used to demonstrate building life cycle.  Systems Dynamics (SD) is an approach to understanding the behavior of complex systems and the interactions between objects within these systems.  A method to combine BIM and SD into a single model of the building as a feedback system would allow a more accurate and complete assessment of the impact of a harmful event.

UW-Madison researchers have developed a dynamic building system interaction model (BSIM) using the SD method to assist in building design, operation, maintenance and other aspects of a building life cycle.  The model is applicable to office buildings, arenas, hospitals, schools, manufacturing facilities and other similar densely occupied structures. 

This model has a range of potential uses, and specifically can be used in decision making on sustainability and environmental issues related to these types of structures.  It allows for a performance-based analysis of building design and operation.  Currently, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the standard method for rating sustainable building design. Development of this simulation method could allow users to evaluate trade-offs among various options for meeting LEED criteria, or criteria for any other prescriptive-based design method.

The model of a building as a feedback system allows simulation of the interactions between sub-systems within the building, such as the movement of the people throughout the building.  By modeling the building as a single overall system, a variety of disruptions (natural disaster, fire, power outage, etc.) can be simulated and the response of the entire building can be examined.

File Number: P08289US 

Other Information: Thompson B.P. and Bank L.C. 2010. Use of System Dynamics as a Decision-Making Tool in Building Design and Operation. Build. Environ. 45, 1006-1015.

Thompson B.P. and Bank L.C. 2008. Survey of Bioterrorism Risk for Buildings. J. Architect. Eng. 14, 7-17.

Thompson B.P. and Bank L.C. 2007. Risk Perception in Performance-Based Building Design and Applications to Terrorism-Resistant Design. J. Perform. Constr. Facil. 21, 61-69.