From a product model to visualization: Simulation of indoor flows with Lattice-Boltzmann methods

Abstract

After a short discussion of different types of models being involved in the process of numerical simulation in civil engineering, we focus on the analysis of indoor air flow through complex geometries. All models are derived from a product data model based on Industry Foundation Classes. Concepts of the Lattice-Boltzmann method are described, being used as the numerical kernel of our simulation system. We take advantage of spacetrees as a central data structure for all geometry related objects. Finally, we describe some advanced postprocessing and visualization techniques allowing to efficiently analyze huge amounts of simulation data. © 2004 Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering.