Input Data Setup

Although basically the sequence of steps in setting up a BIO-met simulation is not relevant, we will follow a typical step-by-step process from which we think it makes most sense. The steps are the same for all available thermal comport indices. So, let's begin with defining our input data and calculation range.

Selecting the Data Source

As mentioned in the overview, a valid ENVI-met microclimate simulation is the indispensable presupposition for any BIO-met simulation. Errors and wrong assumptions in the microclimate simulation will result in wrong and erroneous BIO-met results.

To link with you simulation output, select the Root Output Folder of the simulation by pressing the highlighted button.

The complete output folder of a simulation contains a large set of different folders and data as described here. From these folders, the \atmosphere and the \input data folder are required for a BIO-met simulation.

For PMV, PET*, SET and UTCI only the \atmosphere folder is actually needed.
The \input data folder might be missing. For Dynamic Thermal Comfort simulations, the INX file is required.

After selecting the root output folder, the content of the \atmosphere folder is scanned and the available files are displayed in the File Map. Missing files will be shown in Gray, existing files in Blue.

Selecting the Time or Time Range

After the output folder has been selected and read, the Time or the Time Range of the simulation must be set using the Data File Map. You can select a single file using the left mouse button, a set of single files by pressing SHIFT and the left mouse button or select a continuous time range by defining the first and the last time slice to be simulated. For the latter operation, right click the Data File Map graphics and select the required command.

In the example below, we have selected a time range starting at 10:00 and ending at 20:00 hours of the first day. These two times plus all available time steps in between will be calculated in the simulation.

As additional information, below the Data File Map, the actual selection or the start time file (from:) and end time file (to:) or the individual selection are/is shown as text.

When working with the Dynamic Thermal Comfort tool, only a single time selection is required for which the simulation will be run.

Selecting the Spatial Range

Besides selecting the time frame for the BIO-met calculations, one might also want to modify the spatial range. As default setting, all grid points contained in the underlying ENVI-met model will be used to calculate the selected Thermal Comfort Index. However, as some calculations such as PET* are quite time demanding it might to be a good idea to restrict the calculations to locations where they are required. The upper atmosphere layers, for example, are normally not interesting for human thermal comfort calculations.

BIO-met offers three different modes of spatial range selection:

  • Calculate for all points (default)
  • Calculate for all points from 0 up to a given layer
  • Calculate only points for a given layer

For the last two options, the index (k-level) of the layer either to calculate up to or to calculate as single layer must be given. The corresponding coordinate in meters of the grid cell center is also given as information. In the example below, all layers from 0 to 4 (=2.70 m height) will be calculated, including layer 4.

Please note, that all layers excluded from the BIO-met simulation will still be included in the generated output files. Hence, the spatial dimensions of the BIO-met output files are the same as the source ENVI-met model output, but model layers excluded from calculation will only hold “No Data” value data (-999, see here ).

For Dynamic Thermal Comfort, these settings have no impact as the approx. 1.6 m level will always be used for pedestrians.

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