A method for designing a building performed by a computer

The building design method uses computer-generated models and fluid simulations to evaluate and mitigate infection risks in architectural spaces, addressing the complexity of infection suppression and enhancing design efficiency.

JP7683330B2Active Publication Date: 2025-05-27OHBAYASHI GUMI LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021090696
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-05-28
Publication Date
2025-05-27
Estimated Expiration
2041-05-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Designing buildings to effectively suppress the spread of infection in architectural spaces is challenging due to the complexity of factors involved, such as room shape, ventilation, and occupancy, which require significant time and effort from designers relying on experience and intuition.

Method used

A computer-generated building design method that involves setting design information, creating an analytical model of infection risk, and evaluating this risk using fluid simulation. If the risk exceeds a predetermined threshold, design changes are made, and the process is repeated until the risk is within acceptable limits.

Benefits of technology

This method allows for the efficient design of buildings that can effectively suppress the spread of infection by systematically evaluating and mitigating infection risks, reducing the reliance on designer experience and intuition.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a method for designing a building, enabling a building which can effectively suppress spread of infection to be easily designed.SOLUTION: A method for designing a building including an architectural space and building equipment is provided, including a setting step of setting design information of an architectural space and building equipment, a model creation step of creating an analysis mode of an infection risk on the basis of the design information, and an evaluation step of evaluating an infection risk in the architectural space on the basis of an analysis result of the infection risk using the analysis model, the method repeats the setting step, the model creation step and the evaluation step on the basis of design information of the architectural space and the building equipment after design change after performing the design change of at least the architectural space and the building equipment when the evaluation of the infection risk acquired in the evaluation step exceeds a prescribed threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for designing a building having an architectural space and architectural facilities. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in buildings with architectural spaces where large numbers of people gather, such as hospitals and construction site guardhouses, it is necessary to prevent the spread of infection caused by viruses and other infectious substances.

[0003] Conventionally, as a means of curbing the spread of infection in architectural spaces, systems have been developed that can identify the infection risk for each location in architectural spaces based on the location and infection level of infected individuals (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-67939 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to prevent the spread of infection in architectural spaces, it is necessary not only to identify the infection risk for each location in the architectural space, but also to equip the building itself with architectural spaces and architectural facilities that can prevent the spread of infection.

[0006] However, in a building with architectural space and building facilities, when an infectious substance such as a virus is discharged from an infected person into the architectural space, the extent to which the spread of infection can be suppressed depends on a complex of factors, including not only the shape of the architectural space (room), but also whether or not windows are opened for ventilation, the operation status of the ventilation equipment, the number of people in the room, the number of infected people who generate infectious substances, the layout of the fixtures, etc. Therefore, the designers of the building must take these complex factors into consideration and rely on their experience and intuition when designing, which poses the problem of requiring a great deal of time and effort in such design.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a building design method that makes it possible to easily design buildings that can effectively suppress the spread of infection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention Computer-generated The method for designing a building is a method for designing a building that has an architectural space and architectural equipment, and includes a setting process for setting design information for the architectural space and the architectural equipment, a model creation process for creating an analytical model of infection risk based on the design information, and an evaluation process for evaluating the infection risk in the architectural space based on the analysis results of the infection risk using the analytical model, and is characterized in that when the infection risk assessment obtained in the evaluation process exceeds a predetermined threshold, after making a design change to at least one of the architectural space and the architectural equipment, the setting process, the model creation process, and the evaluation process are repeated based on the design information of the architectural space and the architectural equipment after the design change.

[0009] The present invention Computer-generated In the building design method having the above configuration, the evaluation step preferably involves calculating a concentration distribution of infectious substances emitted by an infected person at multiple positions in the building space using a fluid simulation with multiple parameters input, and determining that the evaluation has exceeded a predetermined threshold when the number of positions determined to have a high risk of infection based on the concentration distribution exceeds a predetermined percentage. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, a building design method can be provided that makes it possible to easily design a building that can effectively suppress the spread of infection. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the steps of a method for designing a building according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an analysis model created in a model creation process. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the results of an infection risk assessment obtained by analyzing the analytical model shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the results of an infection risk assessment obtained by analyzing a modified analytical model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, a method for designing a building according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] The building design method of this embodiment is a design method for a building that has an architectural space and architectural equipment, and includes a model creation process for creating an analytical model of the infection risk based on design information of the architectural space and architectural equipment, and an evaluation process for evaluating the infection risk in the architectural space based on the analysis results of the infection risk using the analytical model.If the evaluation obtained in the evaluation process exceeds a predetermined threshold, the design of at least one of the architectural space and architectural equipment is modified, and then the model creation process and evaluation process are repeated based on the design information of the architectural space and architectural equipment after the design modification.

[0014] Here, the architectural space is a space partitioned by the walls that make up the building and is large enough to accommodate many people inside. The architectural facilities are various facilities installed in the building, such as windows, ventilation facilities such as ventilators, air conditioners, lighting, outdoor air intake and exhaust vents, and fixtures arranged in the architectural space.

[0015] The above setting step, model creation step, and evaluation step can be performed using, for example, a microcomputer installed with three-dimensional simulation software that uses a method of numerical simulation based on a mathematical model. The analysis model, analysis results, and evaluation results may be displayed on a monitor connected to the microcomputer.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, in the design method for a building according to the present embodiment, first, in step S1, design information for the building space and building equipment is set as a setting process. Specifically, as design information for the building space, three-dimensional design data related to the building space, such as the shape of the room and the configuration and arrangement of the walls that make up the building space, is set as design information, and input to a microcomputer in which three-dimensional simulation software is installed. In addition, as design information for building equipment, design information related to building equipment, such as the presence or absence and size of windows, the performance, number and arrangement of ventilation equipment, the performance, number and arrangement of air conditioners, the performance, number and arrangement of lighting, the number and arrangement of outdoor air intake and exhaust vents, and the layout of fixtures, is set and input to the microcomputer in the same manner.

[0017] Next, in step S2, a model creation process creates an analysis model of the infection risk based on the design information of the architectural space and architectural facilities set in the setting process. Specifically, a microcomputer with 3D simulation software installed creates an analysis model of the infection risk based on the input design information of the architectural space and architectural facilities.

[0018] An example of a three-dimensional analytical model of a building created in the model creation process is shown in Figure 2. The analytical model shown in Figure 2 is a three-dimensional analytical model of a building 1 used as a guardhouse at a construction site, and includes a number of walls 2 constituting the building 1, an architectural space (room) 3 partitioned by the walls 2, a number of windows 4 provided in the walls 2 that cannot be opened or closed, a number of ventilation fans (ventilation equipment) 5, a number of air conditioners 6, fixtures 7 such as desks and lockers with seating for 224 people that are laid out in the architectural space 3, and a number of doors 8. Note that in Figure 2, for the sake of convenience, only one member corresponding to each of the above members is given a reference symbol.

[0019] Next, in step S3, as an evaluation process, the infection risk in the architectural space 3 of the building 1 is analyzed using the analytical model created in the model creation process, and the infection risk in the architectural space 3 is evaluated based on the analysis results.

[0020] The evaluation process can be carried out, for example, by a microcomputer with 3D simulation software installed performing a fluid simulation with multiple parameters inputted into the analytical model created in the model creation process to calculate the concentration distribution of infectious substances emitted by infected individuals at multiple positions in the architectural space 3, and if the number of positions determined to have a high risk of infection based on the concentration distribution exceeds a predetermined percentage, it is determined that the evaluation has exceeded a predetermined threshold.

[0021] In this case, the parameters that can be used include at least one of various parameters such as the shape and size of the architectural space 3, the configuration of the walls 2, the layout of the fixtures 7, the operating conditions of the ventilation fan 5, the operating conditions of the air conditioner 6, the heat generated by the lighting, the number of people in the architectural space 3, the breathing rate of the people, the heat generated by the people, the length of time the people stay in the room, meteorological conditions such as air pressure, temperature, and solar radiation, the position of the air intake and exhaust vents, the position and number of infected people who are sources of infectious substances such as viruses, and the amount of infectious substances emitted by infected people.

[0022] In this embodiment, the number of infected persons 10 who generate infectious substances such as viruses is input as one as a parameter, and the window 4 is input as a recessed window that is kept in a closed state.

[0023] The evaluation criteria can be, for example, by setting the infection risk to a person when inhaling a predetermined concentration of an infectious substance in advance through experiments or the like as "small," "medium," or "high," and determining whether the infection risk at each position in the architectural space 3 is "small," "medium," or "high" based on the concentration distribution of the infectious substance obtained by fluid simulation.If the total of the positions with a "high" infection risk and the positions where an infected person 10 is present exceeds a predetermined percentage among all the positions that have been subject to infection risk judgment in the architectural space 3, it can be determined that the infection risk in the architectural space 3 has exceeded a predetermined threshold.

[0024] In this embodiment, the predetermined threshold for evaluation is set to 50%. Note that the predetermined threshold for evaluation is not limited to 50% and can be set appropriately depending on the type of infectious substance, infectivity, etc.

[0025] Figure 3 shows the results of an infection risk assessment obtained by analyzing the analytical model shown in Figure 2. In the assessment results, of all the locations (224 locations) that were subject to infection risk assessment in the architectural space 3, the total number of locations (115) with a "high" infection risk and locations where an infected person 10 is present was approximately 51%, exceeding 50%.

[0026] Next, in step S4, it is determined whether the infection risk assessment obtained in the assessment process exceeds a predetermined threshold. In this embodiment, as described above, the total (115) of the positions with a "high" infection risk and the positions where the infected person 10 is present exceeds 50% of all positions (224 positions) that were subject to infection risk assessment in the architectural space 3, so in step S4, it is determined that the infection risk assessment exceeds the predetermined threshold. Note that the infection risk assessment exceeding the threshold means that the infection risk in the architectural space 3 of the building 1 is higher than the allowable range.

[0027] If it is determined in step S4 that the infection risk assessment exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the building 1 requires a design change to reduce the infection risk, and in step S5, a design change is made to at least one of the architectural space 3 and the architectural facilities to a configuration that is considered to reduce the infection risk. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a design change is made to change the window 4 from a fitted type that is maintained in a closed state to an openable window. When a design change is made, the input of parameters is changed in the fluid simulation in response to the design change. In this embodiment, in response to the window 4 being opened and closed, a parameter indicating that the window 4 is in an open state is input in the fluid simulation.

[0028] After the design change is made, the process returns to step S1 again to set the design information of the architectural space 30 and architectural equipment after the design change, then in step S2, a model creation process is performed based on the design information after the design change, and in step S3, an evaluation process is performed to evaluate the infection risk of the analysis model after the design change. Then, in step S4, it is determined whether the infection risk assessment in the architectural space 3 after the design change exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0029] In this case, it is possible to appropriately change parameters other than the configuration of the building 1, such as the number of people in the architectural space 3, the breathing rate of the people, the heat generated by the people, the length of time the people stay in the room, weather conditions such as air pressure, temperature, and solar radiation, the position and number of infected individuals 10 who produce infectious substances such as viruses, and the amount of infectious substances emitted by infected individuals 10, and to evaluate the infection risk in various situations in response to changes in these parameters.

[0030] In step S4, the above design changes are repeated until it is determined that the infection risk in the architectural space 3 is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold. In this case, by making various design changes for reducing the infection risk one by one in sequence, the effect of reducing the infection risk by multiple design changes for reducing the infection risk can be easily recognized.

[0031] Then, in step S4, if it is determined that the infection risk assessment in the architectural space 3 is below a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the infection risk in the architectural space 3 is within an acceptable range, and the design is completed.

[0032] Figure 4 shows the results of infection risk assessment obtained by analyzing the design-modified analytical model. In the case shown in Figure 4, the design change resulted in the window 4 being opened, and as a result, of all the positions (224 positions) that were subject to infection risk assessment in the architectural space 3, the total (80) of positions with a "high" infection risk and positions where an infected person 10 is present is approximately 36%, which is below 50%. Therefore, in step S4, it is determined that the infection risk assessment is below the predetermined threshold.

[0033] In this way, according to the building design method of this embodiment, when the infection risk assessment result is poor, it is possible to make design changes while checking whether the design changes will increase or decrease the infection risk, so that from multiple design change options for reducing the infection risk, it is easy to select the one that is most effective in reducing the infection risk and use it in the design of the building 1. Therefore, according to the building design method of this embodiment, it is possible to easily design a building 1 that can effectively suppress the spread of infection without relying on the experience or intuition of the designer.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the building design method of this embodiment, in the evaluation process, a fluid simulation with multiple parameters input is used to calculate the concentration distribution of infectious substances discharged from an infected person 10, who is the source of infection, at multiple positions in the building space 3, and if the number of positions determined to have a high infection risk based on the concentration distribution exceeds a predetermined percentage, it is determined that the evaluation has exceeded a predetermined threshold. This makes it easier to evaluate the infection risk, making it easier to design a building 1 that can effectively suppress the spread of infection.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0036] For example, in the above embodiment, the building 1 that is the subject of the setting process and the model creation process is used as a construction site office as shown in Fig. 2, but the building 1 is not limited to this, and can be various things as long as it has an architectural space 3 where many people gather, such as a hospital (waiting room), a school, a meeting hall, etc. Also, the shape and size of the architectural space 3, and the type, number, and arrangement of architectural equipment can be changed in various ways.

[0037] Furthermore, the parameters of the fluid simulation used in the evaluation process are not limited to those described above, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the use of the building 1, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Building 2 wall 3 Architectural space 4. Windows 5. Ventilator 6 Air conditioner 7. Fixtures 8 Doors 10 infected people

Claims

1. A method for designing a building having a building space and building equipment, comprising: a setting step of setting design information of the building space and the building equipment; a model creation step of creating an analysis model of infection risk based on the design information; an evaluation step of evaluating the infection risk in the building space based on the analysis result of the infection risk using the analysis model, wherein when the evaluation of the infection risk obtained in the evaluation step exceeds a predetermined threshold, at least one of the building space and the building equipment is redesigned, and then based on the design information of the building space and the building equipment after the redesign, the setting step, the model creation step, and the evaluation step are repeatedly performed. A method for designing a building performed by a computer, characterized by the above.

2. In the evaluation step, by performing a fluid simulation with a plurality of parameters input, the concentration distribution of infectious substances emitted by an infected person at a plurality of positions in the building space is calculated, and when the proportion of positions determined to have a high infection risk based on the concentration distribution exceeds a predetermined ratio, it is determined that the evaluation exceeds a predetermined threshold. The method for designing a building performed by a computer according to Claim 1.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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