Climate based daylight simulations with EvalDRC – analysis of Daylight Redirecting Components

Abstract

The new calculation tool EvalDRC enhances current strategies for the simulation of Daylight Redirecting Components (DRCs). It is built upon RADIANCE as a core simulation engine and uses the daylight coefficient method, climate based sky models for annual simulations, and daylight metrics for data reduction. Contribution Photon Mapping is introduced as a new method for physically correct DRC simulation. Further new features are separate: True Sun Coefficients for a less approximated, more accurate treatment of the sun contribution and monthly breakdowns of the Spatial Daylight Autonomy and Annual Sunlight Exposure metrics for more detailed information about DRC performance over the course of the year. To show the versatility of the tool, two application studies were carried out in which either measured Bidirectional Scattering Distribution Functions (BSDF) or detailed geometry models were used for the DRC simulation.

Keywords

• climate based daylight simulation
• daylight metrics
• photon mapping
• radiance