Many design problems related to buildings involve minimizing capital and operating costs while providing acceptable service. Genetic algorithms (GAs) are an optimization method that has been applied to these problems. GAs are easily configured, an advantage that often compensates for a sacrifice in performance relative to optimization methods selected specifically for a given problem, and have been shown to give solutions where other methods cannot. This paper reviews the basics of GAs, emphasizing multi-objective optimization problems. It then presents several applications, including determining the size and placement of windows and the composition of building walls, the generation of building form, and the design and operation of HVAC systems. Future work is identified, notably interfaces between a GA and both simulation and CAD programs.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
August 2003
Technical Papers
Genetic Algorithms for Optimization of Building Envelopes and the Design and Control of HVAC Systems
L. G. Caldas,
L. G. Caldas
Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Instituto Superior Te´cnico, Technical University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Search for other works by this author on:
L. K. Norford
L. K. Norford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Department of Architecture, 77 Massachusetts Ave., #5-418D, Cambridge, MA 02139-4301
Search for other works by this author on:
L. G. Caldas
Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Instituto Superior Te´cnico, Technical University of Lisbon, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
L. K. Norford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Department of Architecture, 77 Massachusetts Ave., #5-418D, Cambridge, MA 02139-4301
Contributed by the Solar Energy Division of THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS for publication in the ASME JOURNAL OF SOLAR ENERGY ENGINEERING. Manuscript received by the ASME Solar Energy Division, January 2003; final revision, March 2003. Associate Editor: A. Reddy.
J. Sol. Energy Eng. Aug 2003, 125(3): 343-351 (9 pages)
Published Online: August 4, 2003
Article history
Received:
January 1, 2003
Revised:
March 1, 2003
Online:
August 4, 2003
Citation
Caldas, L. G., and Norford, L. K. (August 4, 2003). "Genetic Algorithms for Optimization of Building Envelopes and the Design and Control of HVAC Systems ." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. August 2003; 125(3): 343–351. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1591803
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
A Nonintrusive Optical Approach to Characterize Heliostats in Utility-Scale Power Tower Plants: Camera Position Sensitivity Analysis
J. Sol. Energy Eng (December 2024)
A Solar Air Receiver With Porous Ceramic Structures for Process Heat at Above 1000 °C—Heat Transfer Analysis
J. Sol. Energy Eng (April 2025)
View Factors Approach for Bifacial Photovoltaic Array Modeling: Bifacial Gain Sensitivity Analysis
J. Sol. Energy Eng (April 2025)
Resources, Training, and Education Under the Heliostat Consortium: Industry Gap Analysis and Building a Resource Database
J. Sol. Energy Eng (December 2024)
Related Articles
Closed-Form Correlation of Buildings Energy Use With Key Design Parameters Calibrated Using a Genetic Algorithm
J. Sol. Energy Eng (November,2011)
Optimization of Well Placement
J. Energy Resour. Technol (June,2000)
Efficient Operation of Air-Side Economizer Using Extremum Seeking Control
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control (May,2010)
Parametric Analysis and Multi-Objective Optimization for Energy-Efficient and High-Performance HVAC Air Filter Design and Selection
J. Eng. Sustain. Bldgs. Cities (August,2023)
Related Chapters
Transforming UML State Diagram to High Level Petri Net
International Conference on Software Technology and Engineering (ICSTE 2012)
Inside the Building
Geothermal Heat Pump and Heat Engine Systems: Theory and Practice
Optimization and Application of Genetic Algorithm
International Conference on Advanced Computer Theory and Engineering, 5th (ICACTE 2012)