Part 3:

Climate Analysis Using

Autodesk Ecotect
Weather Tool and Solar Tool
Tom Wood, AIA
AIA Montana Annual Fall Conference
September 30, 2010

INTEGRATED DESIGN LAB | BOZEMAN

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY

AUTODESK ECOTECT
Climate Analysis

The Ecotect Weather Tool and Solar Tool

Stand-alone tools for climate-responsive, pre-design analysis of weather and
solar site data.
W/ m

Stereographic Diagram

800

900+
800

Average Temperature (C)

600

700
600
500
400

Weekly Summary

D ire ct S ola r R a dia tion (W / m)

Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA (46.0, -112.5)
W e a th e r T o o l

W e a the r T o ol

345

15

330

35
30
25
20

30
10

300
200
100
<0

400

C
45+
40

Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA

Sun Position: 58.2, 0.1
HSA: 58.2, VSA: 0.1

315

200

30

1st Jul
60

300
1st Jun

The Weather Tool allows you to:

40

0
4
8
12
16
20
24

Visualize

1st Aug

4
8

50

1st May

12

60

285

16
20

75
1st Sep

70

24
Hr

28

80

1st Apr
270

90
1st Oct

32
36
1st Mar

40
255

105

44
48
52

Analyze

15
10
5
<0

45
20

1st Nov
1st Feb
1st 120
Dec

240
1st Jan

Wk

16
15

14

13

12

11

225

135

210

Time: 05:00
Date: 16th July
Dotted lines: July-December.

Edit

hourly weather data from a variety of sources such as

TMY, TMY2, TRY, WYEC2 and others.

10

150
195

165
180

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Climate Analysis

Weather Tool Main Screen

Panels:
A. Location Data
B. Solar Position
C. Psychrometry
D. Wind Analysis
E. Hourly Data
F. Weekly Data
G. Monthly Data

H. View Controls

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Climate Analysis

A. Location Data
Name and Country
Latitude: + Northern, - Southern Hemisphere
Longitude: from Greenwich, England
Altitude: meters above sea level
Sky (Lux): design sky illuminance
Find: location tool searches database
Map: to click and drag locations

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Climate Analysis

Location Data

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Climate Analysis

B. Solar Position
Display Type:

orthographic projection
stereographic projection
tabulated data
overlay hourly data
annual solar radiation
best orientation

Date/Time Settings: daylight savings check box

Orientation Slider: surface shows as red on sun path diagram

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Climate Analysis

B. Solar Position (continued)

Solar Radiation: daily total solar radiation over the year
Best Orientation: Optimum Orientation dialog box
select under and overheated months of the year
program will produce the optimal orientation

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Climate Analysis
Stereographic Diagram
Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA
Sun Position: 167.5, 47.4
HSA: 167.5, VSA: 131.9

N
345

15

W e a th e r T o o l

330

30
10

315

45
20

30

1st Jul
60

300
1st Jun
40

1st Aug
50

1st May

60

285

75
1st Sep

70
80

1st Apr
270

90
1st Oct

1st Mar
255

105
1st Nov

1st Feb
1st 120
Dec

240
1st Jan
9

16
15

14

13

12

11

10

225

135

210

Time: 12:00
Date: 1st April
Dotted lines: July-December.

150
195

165
180

Stereographic Diagram

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Climate Analysis
Stereographic Diagram

Average Temperature (C)

Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA

Sun Position: 58.2, 0.1
HSA: 58.2, VSA: 0.1
W e a th e r T o o l

45+
40

345

15

330

35
30
25
20

30
10

315

15
10
5
<0

45
20

30

1st Jul
60

300
1st Jun
40

1st Aug
50

1st May

60

285

75
1st Sep

70
80

1st Apr
270

90
1st Oct

1st Mar
255

105
1st Nov

1st Feb
1st 120
Dec

240
1st Jan

15

14

13

12

11

10

225

135

210

Time: 05:00
Date: 16th July
Dotted lines: July-December.

Stereographic Diagram

16

150
195

165
180

With temperature overlay

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Climate Analysis
Orthographic Projection

Date/ Time: 05:00, 16th July

Dotted lines: July-December.
HSA: 58.2, VSA: 0.1

Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA

Sun Position: 58.2, 0.1
W e a th e r T o o l

90

80

70
13

12
14

11

60

15

10

50

16

40

17

Orthographic Projection with

north = 0 azimuth

30

18

20

19

10

20

ALT
-180

-150

-120

-90

-60

-30

North

30

60

90

120

150

180

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Climate Analysis
Optimum Orientation
Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA
Orientation based on average daily incident
radiation on a vertical surface.
Underheated Stress: 2306.0
Overheated Stress: 95.2
330
Compromise: 175.0

N
345

15
kWh/ m

Best
30

3.60

W e a th e r T o o l

Worst

3.20
315

45
2.80
2.40

300

60

2.00
1.60
1.20

285

75
0.80
0.40

85.0

270

90

255

105

240

120

225

135

210
Avg. Daily Radiation at 175.0
Entire Year: 2.34 kWh/ m
Underheated: 2.84 kWh/ m
Overheated: 1.54 kWh/ m

150
195

Compromise: 175.0 165

180

Annual Average
Underheated Period
Overheated Period

Optimum Orientation for

specified overheated and
underheated months

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Climate Analysis
k W h / m

Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA (46.0, -112.5)

ANN UAL IN CID EN T SOLAR R AD IAT ION AT 180.0

Total Annual Collection: 1107.43 kWh/ m
Underheated Period: 280.65 kWh/ m
Overheated Period: 232.73 kWh/ m

5 5 0 0 .0

5 0 0 0 .0

4 5 0 0 .0

4 0 0 0 .0

3 5 0 0 .0

3 0 0 0 .0

2 5 0 0 .0

2 0 0 0 .0

Annual Incident Solar

Radiation at 180 Degrees

1 5 0 0 .0

1 0 0 0 .0

5 0 0 .0

0 .0
Ja n

Fe b

M ar

Apr

M ay

Ju n

Ju l

Aug

Sep

Oc t

N ov

D ec

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Climate Analysis

C. Psychrometry
Chart Overlay:

Highlight chart elements

Psychrometric processes
Passive design analysis
Active cooling strategies
Climate classification
Bioclimatic design elements

Overlay Box:

Cumulative frequencies
Hourly data points
Monthly ranges
Average monthly maximums

Date:

Select time period

Activity Slider:

Select from low to heavy

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Climate Analysis
Psychrometric Chart
Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA
Display: Monthly Mean Minimum/ Maximum
Barometric Pressure: 101.36 kPa
W e a th e r T o o l

SELECT ED DESIGN T ECHN IQU ES:

1. passive solar heating
2. thermal mass effects
3. natural ventilation

120

Enthalpy (kJ/ kg)

AH

110

100
30
90

80

25

70
20

60

50
15
40

30
10
20
J A
10

O A

J D MSF

N
J

JM

O
A

Comfort
M

0
DBT(C)

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Psychrometric Chart with

monthly mean min./max.
and passive strategies

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Climate Analysis
Psychrometric Chart
Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA
Data Points: 1st January to 31st December
Weekday Times: 00:00-24:00 Hrs
Weekend Times: 00:00-24:00 Hrs
Barometric Pressure: 101.36 kPa
W e a th e r T o o l

120

SELECT ED DESIGN T ECHN IQUES:

1. passive solar heating
2. thermal mass effects
3. natural ventilation

Enthalpy (kJ/ kg)

AH

110

100
30
90

80
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

25

70
20

60

50
15
40

30
10
20

Comfort

10

0
DBT(C)

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Psychrometric Chart with

hourly data points and
passive strategies

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Climate Analysis
SELECTED DESIGN TECHNIQUES:
1. passive solar heating
2. thermal mass effects
3. exposed mass + night-purge ventilation
4. natural ventilation
5. direct evaporative cooling
6. indirect evaporative cooling

Comfort Percentages
NAME: Butte-Bert Mooney AP
LOCATION: USA
WEEKDAYS: 00:00 - 24:00 Hrs
WEEKENDS: 00:00 - 24:00 Hrs
POSITION: 46.0, -112.5
W e a th e r T o o l

Before

MULTIPLE PASSIVE DESIGN TECHNIQUES

After

80

Expanded comfort zone

due to passive strategies

60

40

20

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Year

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Climate Analysis

D. Wind Analysis
Weather Parameter:

Overlaid on wind rose

Default: wind speed and direction

Date/Time:

Analyze specific time periods

Show Percentage:

Displays percents on charts

Show Comparison:

Displays 4 charts: wind, temperature.

relative humidity, and rainfall

Show Months:

Displays all months

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Climate Analysis
Prevailing Winds
W ind Fre que ncy (H rs)
Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA (46.0, -112.5)
Date: 1st January - 31st December
Time: 00:00 - 24:00

N OR T H
345

50 km/ h

hrs

15

W e a th e r T o o l

463+
330

30

416
370

40 km/ h
315

324

45

277
231

30 km/ h

185
300

60

138
92

20 km/ h

<46
285

75

10 km/ h

W EST

EAST

255

105

240

120

225

135

210

150

195

165
SOU T H

Annual Wind Rose

all hours

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Climate Analysis
Prevailing Winds
A v e ra g e W in d T e m p e ra t u re s
L o c a t io n : B u t t e -B e rt M o o n e y A P , U S A (4 6 . 0 , -1 1 2 . 5 )
D a t e : 1 s t J a n u a ry - 3 1 s t D e c e m b e r
T im e : 0 0 : 0 0 - 2 45:00 0k m / h

W e a th e r T o o4l 0

km/ h

30 km/ h
20 km/ h

C
45+
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
<0

50 km/ h
40 km/ h
30 km/ h
20 km/ h

C
45+
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
<0

50 km/ h
40 km/ h
30 km/ h
20 km/ h

C
45+
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
<0

50 km/ h
40 km/ h
30 km/ h
20 km/ h

10 km/ h

10 km/ h

10 km/ h

10 km/ h

J a n u a ry

F e b ru a ry

M a rc h

A p ril

50 km/ h
40 km/ h
30 km/ h
20 km/ h

C
45+
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
<0

50 km/ h
40 km/ h
30 km/ h
20 km/ h

C
45+
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
<0

50 km/ h
40 km/ h
30 km/ h
20 km/ h

C
45+
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
<0

50 km/ h
40 km/ h
30 km/ h
20 km/ h

10 km/ h

10 km/ h

10 km/ h

10 km/ h

M ay

Jun e

J u ly

A u g u st

50 km/ h
40 km/ h
30 km/ h
20 km/ h

C
45+
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
<0

50 km/ h
40 km/ h
30 km/ h
20 km/ h

C
45+
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
<0

50 km/ h
40 km/ h
30 km/ h
20 km/ h

C
45+
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
<0

50 km/ h
40 km/ h
30 km/ h
20 km/ h

10 km/ h

10 km/ h

10 km/ h

10 km/ h

S e p te m b e r

O c to b e r

N ovember

D ecember

C
45+
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
<0

C
45+
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
<0

C
45+
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
<0

Monthly wind roses

with temperature infill

AUTODESK ECOTECT
Climate Analysis
Prevailing Winds

Prevailing Winds

W ind Fre que ncy (H rs)

W ind Fre que ncy (H rs)

Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA (46.0, -112.5)

Date: 1st June - 30th June
Time: 10:00 - 14:00

N OR T H
34 5

50 km/ h

hrs

15

W e ath er T oo l

6+
330

30

Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA (46.0, -112.5)

Date: 1st June - 30th June
Time: 22:00 - 06:00

N OR T H
345

33 0

3 0

315

14
12

40 km/ h

4 5

hrs

15

16+

40 km/ h

50 km/ h

W e athe r T o o l

3 15

11

45

30 km/ h

30 km/ h

2
30 0

60

6
300

6 0

20 km/ h

4
3

20 km/ h

<0
285

75

<1
2 8 5

75

10 km/ h

10 km/ h

W EST

EAST

255

10 5

24 0

120

225

1 35

210

15 0

19 5

16 5
SOU T H

June wind rose daytime

W EST

EAST

2 5 5

1 0 5

240

1 20

2 25

135

21 0

15 0

195

1 65
SOU T H

June wind rose nighttime

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Climate Analysis
Prevailing Winds

Prevailing Winds

W ind Fre que ncy (H rs)

W ind Fre que ncy (H rs)

Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA (46.0, -112.5)

Date: 1st December - 31st December
Time: 10:00 - 14:00

N OR T H
34 5

50 km/ h

hrs

15

W e a th e r T o o l

7+
3 3 0

30

Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA (46.0, -112.5)

Date: 1st December - 31st December
Time: 22:00 - 06:00

N OR T H
34 5

3 3 0

30

3 1 5

13
12

40 km/ h

45

hrs

15

15+

40 km/ h

50 km/ h

W e a th e r T o o l

3 1 5

10

45

30 km/ h

30 km/ h

2
3 0 0

6 0

6
3 0 0

6 0

20 km/ h

4
3

20 km/ h

<0
285

75

<1
285

75

10 km/ h

10 km/ h

W EST

EAST

255

105

2 4 0

1 20

2 2 5

13 5

2 1 0

1 50

19 5

1 65
SOU T H

December wind rose daytime

W EST

EAST

255

105

2 4 0

1 20

2 2 5

13 5

2 1 0

1 50

19 5

1 65
SOU T H

December wind rose nighttime

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Climate Analysis

E. Hourly Data
Graphical Display:

Annual chart across top

Selected day charts along bottom

Selected Day:

Use slider to select day

Search Data For:

Extreme days for temperature,

sunlight, and wind

Summary Data:

Select weather parameter to display

Thermal Comfort:

Toggles display of comfort band

Monthly Averages:

monthly minimums, maximums, and

averages

Edit Hourly Data:

invokes Synthetic Hourly Data dialog

Scale Data:

invokes Scale Data dialog

AUTODESK ECOTECT
Climate Analysis
C

MONTHLY DIURNAL AVERAGES - Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA

MONTHLY DIURNAL AVERAGES - Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA

W/ m

40

1.0k

40

1.0k

30

0.8k

30

0.8k

20

0.6k

20

0.6k

10

0.4k

10

0.4k

0.2k

0.2k

0.0k

-10

-10
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

LEGEND
Comfort: Thermal Neutrality
Temperature
Rel.Humidity
Wind Speed

Direct Solar
Diffuse Solar
Cloud Cover

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

0.0k
Jan

DAILY CONDITIONS - 22nd December (356)

W/ m

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

DAILY CONDITIONS - 20th June (171)

W/ m

40

1.0k

40

1.0k

30

0.8k

30

0.8k

20

0.6k

20

0.6k

10

0.4k

10

0.4k

0.2k

0.2k

-10

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

Daily conditions December 22

0.0k

LEGEND
Comfort: Thermal Neutrality
Temperature
Rel.Humidity
Wind Speed

Direct Solar
Diffuse Solar
Cloud Cover

-10

10

W/ m

12

Daily conditions June 20

14

16

18

20

22

24

0.0k

AUTODESK ECOTECT
Climate Analysis

F. Weekly Data
Graphical Display:

Visualization of seasonal and diurnal

trends

Weather Data:

Select type of data to display

Averaged Trend:

Cancels questionable data

Hidden Surface:

Select to see solid surface

Color Shading:

Fills each square with scaled color

Contours:

Shows contour lines on surface

Vertical Scale:

Adjust height of vertical scale

Show All:

Multi-graph display of 9 data sets

AUTODESK ECOTECT
Climate Analysis
50

Weekly Summary

C
45+
40

Ave ra ge T e mpe ra ture (C)

Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA (46.0, -112.5)
W e a th e r T o o l

35
30
25
20

40

30

15
10
5
<0

20

10

0
4
8
12
16
20
24
28

4
8
12
16
20
24
Hr

32
36
40
44
48
52
Wk

Average Temperature
Hours of the day, weeks of the year

AUTODESK ECOTECT
Climate Analysis
100

Weekly Summary

%
90+
80

R e la tive H umidity (% )
Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA (46.0, -112.5)
W e a th e r T o o l

70
60
50
40

80

60

30
20
10
<0

40

20

0
4
8
12
16
20
24
28

4
8
12
16
20
24
Hr

32
36
40
44
48
52
Wk

Relative Humidity
Hours of the day, weeks of the year

AUTODESK ECOTECT
Climate Analysis
Weekly Summary

W/ m

D ire ct S ola r R a dia tion (W / m)

800

900+
800

600

700
600
500
400

Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA (46.0, -112.5)

W e a th e r T o o l

300
200
100
<0

400

200

0
4
8
12
16
20
24

4
8
12
16
20
24
Hr

28
32
36
40
44
48
52
Wk

Solar Radiation
Hours of the day, weeks of the year

AUTODESK ECOTECT
Climate Analysis
Weekly Summary

km/ h

Ave ra ge W ind S pe e d (km/ h)

45+
40

40

Location: Butte-Bert Mooney AP, USA (46.0, -112.5)

W e a th e r T o o l

35
30
25
20

30

15
10
5
<0

20

10

0
4
8
12
16
20
24

4
8
12
16
20
24
Hr

28
32
36
40
44
48
52
Wk

Wind Speed
Hours of the day, weeks of the year

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Climate Analysis

G. Monthly Data
Graphical Display:

Charts of daylight hours, temperature,

relative humidity, solar radiation, rainfall
Simple wind roses
Chart of heating/cooling/solar degree hours

Summary Data Button:

Select data to edit

Monthly Values:

Displays average monthly values

Click to edit, enter to activate,
CTRL-Z to undo

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Climate Analysis
Monthly Data Summary

AUTODESK ECOTECT
Climate Analysis

H. View Controls
Zoom:

To move in or out

Copy View:

Copies image to clipboard

Formats: metafile or bitmap

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Climate Analysis
Solar Tool Screen

AUTODESK ECOTECT
Climate Analysis
3D Model Display: Overhang Study

AUTODESK ECOTECT
Climate Analysis
3D Model Display: Overhang Study

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Climate Analysis
Orthographic Projection: Overhang Study

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Climate Analysis

Conversions
feet x 0.3048 = meters

meters x 3.281 = feet

inches x 25.4 = millimeters

millimeters x 0.039 = inches

footcandles x 10.764 = lux

lux x 0.0929 = footcandles

miles per hour x 1.609 = kilometers per hour

kilometers per hour x 0.621 = miles per hour
0F

= (9/5 x 0C) + 32

0C

= 5/9(0F 32)

Btu x 1.055 = kilojoules

kilojoules x 0.948 = Btu

Btu/h x 0.2931 = watts

watts x 3.412 = Btu/h

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Climate Analysis

Thank You

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA)

NorthWestern Energy

Montana State University: School of Architecture

Lab Assistants: Chris Hancock, Shelby Hinchliff,

Emily Aasheim Sikorski, Colleen Devoe

Contact:
Tom Wood, AIA, NCARB
Professor of Architecture, MSU
twood@montana.edu
406-994-4717