computer requirements

maxwalch · Posts: 23

dear db team,
at the moment i'm just building up a very big model. it's an office building with 8 storeys and the file is more than 2MB big. I had several problems and different warnings i don't remember anymore, but these mistakes didn't appear anymore after increasing the memory to 3GB(before just 1GB).
But now my computer is telling me "out of memory", but 3GB should be enough? sometimes it is also shutting down db without any warning. For further information my comuter is an Intel core duo E4400 with 2GHz. the graphic card is an intel Q35 express and as i mentioned i have 3GB memory. the version of db i'm using is 1.5.0.052(test version).
could i send you the file to your email adress?
thanks
max

maxwalch · Posts: 23

i also tried to import the file in an empty project. on the navigation site the project was shown correctly, but i could only see two storeys and after opening one storey there were only some partitions to see!
max

Andy Tindale · Posts: 1162 Location: Stroud

Please send the model to "support at designbuilder.co.uk" and we'll take a look.

Andy

maxwalch · Posts: 23

ok, message is sent.
thank you

maxwalch · Posts: 23

oh, message wasn't sent. there was a mistake.
i try to check out why.
max

maxwalch · Posts: 23

i don't know what's the reason but i can't send an email to your support adress! i tried it from different adresses with or without file but no success.
max

Andy Tindale · Posts: 1162 Location: Stroud

Max,

I have managed to load your model OK in v.1.5.0.073 and have some comments:

1. As you say the model is very large, too large for practical E+ simulations. You should be able to merge many of the zones that have the same HVAC system and similar occupany and exposure to outside and glazing.

2. The model needs 'Rebuilding'. Run the Tools > Rebuild model menu command.

3. The building is mostly below ground (i.e. z coordinate is less than zero). So you need to go to building level, select all blocks, click on the move command, click on one of the bottom corners of the building to start the move then click again on the white background to move the base of the ground floor to z=0 plane.

4. There is a bug in the current beta release preventing calculations of a very large file like this, but we are fixing this now so future versions won't have this particular problem.... but...

5. The EnergyPlus cooling design simulation runs out of memory on my computer when heating and cooling set for all zones. Also the idf editor cannot load the idf file, also running out of memory.

So the bottom line is that you must simplify the model!

Andy

Andy Tindale · Posts: 1162 Location: Stroud

Some more news... better this time. After fixing a bug in DB and changing the E+ version to run the v.2.2 exe (instead of the usual dll), the model is able to run heating and cooling design simulatations. It should also do annual simulations though you won't be able to use calculated natural ventilation or compact HVAC, but you will at least be able to use the model in it's present form. I still recommend simplifying it though as the runs would be faster and you would be less likely to come up against memory constraints.

Also, Linda Lawrie is looking into the E+ dll crash.

Andy

maxwalch · Posts: 23

hello andy,
thank you very much for your answer! You gave me lots of advice how i can manage my model better. i have to go though all the points you suggested, i think i need some time to do this. but i hope i can write you again if some problems appear.
best regards
max

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