Developing intelligent and

interactive HVAC pipe network

Vijay Srikandarajah2ndyear PhD Student

Doctoral Seminar, May 2018

Presentation Outline

• Background• Introduction and Motivation• Literature Review• Research Questions• Aim & Objectives• Research Design• Research Methodology• Future Work Programme

Background - Team

Dr Mahroo EftekhariMr Vijay Sri

Dr Baihua Li

Professor Paul Chung Dr Chris Owen (TATA)

Introduction and Motivation• Why is the research needed?• What started this project

***

• Designing an efficient HVAC pipe work system is a complex process.

• It requires a thorough understanding of pipe performance to produce a nearer alternative to the optimum design.

Literature Review

Experiment Study of Steel

Pipe

• Heat Transfer Calculation• Pressure Calculation• Corrosion Calculation

BIM

• BIM - AEC - HVAC• Autodesk - Revit• Data to BIM Model

VR Visualisation

• Real Time Rendering -Game Engine – Unity – Unreal –String Ray• Application programming interface (API)• Programing Language – C#, Python,

Gaps in literature review• Lack of knowledge on how the performance of the pipe

system has been evaluated by stakeholders.• Limited information on pipe performance simulation .• Absence of studies focusing on how modern technology

can be implemented on BIM revolution.

Research QuestionDeveloping intelligent and interactive HVAC pipe network

Research AimVisualize the dynamic performance of HVAC system pipework and investigate the possibility of using existing VR technology.

Research Objectives • To create VR models of Tata Steel pipe rigs,

which can be used for training and visualization purpose.

• Collect experimental data to embed in the model• Identify method to link data to back and forth

from BIM• Draw a set of Standard or Guidance of this

process• Study of practical implementation.

Research design

Heat transfer

Pressure and flow

Corrosion

Issues with BIM – PipeworkIncorrect product details, as well as:• Wrong tube standards referenced• Wrong tube sizing• Jointing ignored• Other fittings ignored

Poor understanding of flow, heat, pressure and service life conditions, such as corrosion

Research MethodologyThe research methods used to answer the main aim involve three tasks

Task - 1• A 3D model of a pipe network as a

case study. Ideally this should be a realistic 3D model of the pipework in BIM. This pipe network model should include all necessary parameters each as the diameter of each pipe, material of construction, flow rate, temperature, pressure, etc.

BIM Modeling

Tool

Task - 2• Computer program. Different

parameters can be changed and the resulting corrosion effect will be the output. Multiple corrosion models could be built so that the architect and engineer could choose whichever is appropriate. The project should begin with some simple equations that are already available in the literature.

Task - 3• A game engine with the 3D pipe

network imported which allows interaction with each pipe object.

Interactivity Scripting, Stereoscopic Integration, Occlusion Bake

Current status

Virtual Reality

Augmented Reality

Mixed Reality

Typical 2D/3D

• The challenge of using BIM and VR

Virtual Reality

Showcasing Current statusBenefits:

• Seeing what is going on

• Allows timelines to Jumping into the future e.g. 25 years

<40%<75%

>75%

Research Program• Year 1

– Literature Review– Viable Methodology

• Second year– API Study– Main data collection– Conference paper

• Third year– Case Studies– Journal Article– Thesis

Workplan - Gantt Chart