System Dynamics Modelling of Carbon Emission Reduction of Building Information Model (BIM) with Different Roof Design Configurations

This paper aims to develop an optimum roofing system for hot climate by introducing different roof design configuration with the aid of Building Information Modelling and System Dynamics Modelling. Tropical climate with high ambient temperature and humidity caused the residential buildings in Malaysia experienced overheating roof space, where roof contributes up to 70% of heat gain. Heat absorbed radiates to living space beneath and caused thermal discomfort to the occupants. However, the roofing system in Malaysia is not well investigated and applied. Adoption of air conditioning system to reduce thermal discomfort increased energy consumptions and contributes to carbon emission. In this research, energy consumption and carbon emission reduction of a single storey residential house in Malaysia were evaluated based on different roof design configuration, which included roof surface colour and air gap thickness by using Autodesk Revit Architecture and Autodesk Ecotect. System dynamic model was developed to help in decision making to develop an optimum roofing system by using STELLA. The results suggested that white roof is the better alternative compared to other colour roof such as brown, red, and black. The presence of air gap showed the reduction in carbon emission. However, varying the thickness of air gap did not reduce carbon emission due to the limitation of software.