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Highlights in 4.8

 

Learn more about IDA ICE here

 

leaf Redesigned Floor plan

The Floor plan view and other 2D geometrical views have been redesigned to improve performance and ease of use:
  • Mouse wheel zoom, pan and a function to zoom in on selected objects.
  • New snapping algorithm with visualization of snap lines.
  • Improved import of drawings with vastly better performance, showing more details and retaining the drawing’s coordinate system.
  • New look with thin lines and transparent shapes.
  • Intuitive rotation of the floor plan and roof editor to facilitate adding zones with different directions.

 

4.8 floorplan2 800

 

leaf Spectral properties of glass panes and shading materials

Spectral calculation is introduced for glazing and integrated sunshades. This means that the properties of the whole glazing/sunshade system are calculated for each wavelength interval. Spectral calculations give higher accuracy than non-spectral. For modern glazing and shading materials, non-spectral calculations can give significant errors (> 10%) and viable system combinations may be missed. Spectral data can be uploaded by manufacturers at any time and is automatically synchronized with user databases.
 

4.8 spectral 1200

 

leafOverheating calculation

Overheating calculation is a new simulation type to automatically find the worst day for rooms that have no or limited mechanical cooling. The result is presented at the time of either maximal air temperature, operative temperature or PPD.

 

  

leaf Parametric runs and optimization inside IDA ICE (beta)1

Using the simulation model to optimize for example window properties, supply air temperature or the size and slope of solar collectors is an obvious application. With IDA ICE 4.8 this is as easy as it sounds. The user can easily drag and drop input parameters and target output (cost function) from the model into the interface. In addition to optimization, Monte-Carlo and sensitivity analysis (Morris method) are supported.

Graphical scripting in the same style as regular advanced level IDA modelling is provided in order to easily create parameter relations that are suitable for parametric runs. The same technique can be used also to formulate complex objective and constraint functions.

4.8 optimization 

 

 

leaf Enthalpy wheel heat exchanger

An air handling unit with a new rotary heat exchanger model, based on prEN 16798-5-1, is introduced. It has three options with different types of coatings:
  • Uncoated: This type can transfer moisture only if condensation takes place in the wheel.
  • Hygroscopic (enthalpy wheel): This type can recover some moisture even if no condensation takes place in the wheel.
  • Sorption (desiccant wheel): Rotary heat exchanger for high humidity transfer. This type can recover even more moisture than the hygroscopic wheel.

 4.8 enthalphy wheel ahu

 

leaf New thermal bridge definitions

National standards are based on different conventions for defining thermal bridges and envelope area. IDA ICE 4.8 supports five different definitions of thermal bridges and envelope area, as defined in ISO 10211.

The selected envelope area definition is visualized in the 3D view when wall thickness is turned on.

4.8 thermal bridges 1200

 

 

leaf Updates to Daylight2

The Daylight extension has been updated in IDA ICE 4.8. Here are a few examples:
  • The Radiance parameters have been updated and a new option, Super high precision, is included.
  • The median daylight factor and illuminance is displayed in the results summary table.
  • The area above and below a daylight factor or illuminance value can be shown on the scalebar in the 3D view.
  • The geometry of the ground is shown when visualizing properties in the Optical properties table.
  • Zones for daylight calculation can also be selected from a list.
  • Internal obstruction can easily be created inside IDA ICE as extruded geometry on surfaces.

 

 

leaf Usability and productivity improvements

IDA ICE 4.8 includes a large number of usability and productivity improvements, many of them suggested by our users. Here are a few examples:
  • New construction defaults: Separate construction for wall/slab parts facing ground.
  • Possibility to remove all unused resources from the IDA Resources form with one click.
  • More columns in the table of windows; Width, Height and Visible transmittance.
  • Multi-selection of rows in tables (using Shift+click or Ctrl+click) and automatic scroll during selection of cells.
  • Simplified form for water radiator.
  • Windows and doors are now shown in the zone’s floor editor to facilitate positioning of occupants.
  • Slab heating and cooling can now be used in vertical walls as well.

 

 

leaf New types of integrated shading

Three new types of typical shading devices can now easily be selected for the detailed window model; Micro lamellas (shading dependent on two angles), Venetian blinds between panes and Screens between panes. Access to manufacturer data for shading materials has been enabled. The shading devices are visualized in the 3D view and their movement can be animated.

 

 

leaf Improvements in 3D

The 3D view has been improved. Here are some examples:
  • It is possible to add and edit shading buildings and horizontal shades directly in the 3D view.
  • Properties of the 3D parameter visualization and results animation scalebar can easily be set including range, custom colors and arrow length.
  • Icons for leaks and chimneys are shown in the 3D view.

  

 

leaf Split and merge zones (beta)

Zones can now easily be split into smaller zones, by inserting a slab at a specified height or by drawing a dividing wall. With these features a complicated building can be divided into floors and zones.

Zones can also be merged together into larger zones. This feature enables you to change the zoning of a building without having to redraw the zones. It is also a simple way to create complicated zone geometries.

  

 

leaf Improved IFC import and export3

The IFC import has been improved in several ways. Now also exporting key results via IFC has been implemented.

The free IDA ICE Viewer can be used to check IFC files for import problems.

 


leaf Phase Change Materials (beta)1

Layers in walls and floors can now be Phase Change Materials (PCM). Using such materials, radically improved heat storage capacity can be achieved.

 

leaf New model for heat from occupants

Thermal comfort is calculated in IDA ICE according to ISO 7730. In IDA ICE 4.7.1 and earlier, the heat loss from a person that is too cold (PMV < 0) was larger than the specified metabolism. In IDA ICE 4.8, the clothing level is adjusted instead so that the PMV value becomes close to zero, which means that the total heat losses always become equal to the metabolism. This change only applies to the calculation of occupant heat. The calculation of PMV/PPD is not affected.

 

leaf Application Programming Interface (beta)1

IDA ICE can now be controlled by an external program by direct calls from, e.g. Python, Matlab, Excel, C++, Java or similar. By using socket communication, also processes on remote machines can control an IDA ICE instance. A library of functions based on the Document Object Model standard has been implemented for interacting with the IDA Modeller data structures. Essentially any operation that can be performed manually can also be done remotely. Running simulations from a remote process requires a special licensing agreement.


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 1 Included in the Expert edition.

2 Included in the Expert edition and available as extension (Daylight) to the Standard edition.

3 Included in the Expert edition and available as extension (BIM Import) to the Standard edition.

 

 

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