Automated Building Design Review Using BLAST. (Building Loads Analysis and System Thermodynamics).

This document describes a method for using the Building Loads Analysis and System Thermodynamics BLAST energy simulation computer program to review the energy effectiveness of the new Army facility designs. This review method covers both aspects of new Armys energy criteria prescriptive energy standards and facility energy design budgets. The method compares the energy criteria with information contained in a BLAST output deck. This deck contains most of the information needed to review a new design for compliance with energy criteria. A special BLAST Design Review Summary Report was developed which provides, in an easy-to-read, standard format, the information needed to check a design for energy criteria compliance. A description of the prototype design review procedure was published in USA-CERL TR-E-190. The review procedure and the Review Summary Report were modified based on the results of field tests. The modifications, which are presented in this report, further enhance the procedures utility by providing the user with more information about the building design, making the Review Summary Report more of a stand-alone document. This report describes how Army Corps of Engineers Districts can use the BLAST Review Summary Report to review the energy effectiveness of new facility designs submitted by architectengineer firms who use BLAST.