GBXML Export Creates Multiple Rooms for the Same Space

[scottJUJ3Y]

I am trying to export a GBXML file to import into Carrier HAP for heating/cooling load calculations. I want to use the "Use Energy Settings" export option so that the Space Energy Analysis parameters are exported to HAP and I don't have to change them manually in HAP after the export. I'm having trouble with some spaces where spaces in the architectural model are duplicated once exported and I get two spaces in HAP for the same space in the architectural model. For one of these spaces (Computer Lab 116) I checked out the analytical surfaces and they look ok - they reflect the walls, roof and ceiling in the architectural model. I attached a screenshot of the heating/cooling load dialogue showing the analytical surfaces. Once I export the model to GBXML, import into Carrier HAP and review the translation report, it shows two spaces for the same space in the architectural model. I attached a snapshot of the translation report. Lastly, some of the data differs in the two HAP spaces and I'm not sure why. Floor, roof and wall areas are all different, but some of the wall exposure areas are the same and one of the spaces has one extra exposure. I attached a couple screen shots of those too. The actual floor area of Computer Lab 116 in the architectural model is 420 sq.ft. so neither of the duplicated spaces are correct.

Has anyone had this problem before? I can't seem to find much information on trouble shooting issues using the "Use Energy Settings" export option.

Scott

[devonpowell]

You could try importing the gbXML into a different software to see if it is a HAP issue or Revit issue? 

here is an online viewer: https://www.ladybug.tools/spider/gbxml-viewer/r9/gbxml-viewer9-app/gbxml-viewer9.html

Also, it looks like there is an error with one of your zones, which may or may not be impacting. 

[scottJUJ3Y]

Thanks! I looked at the file in the gbXML viewer and it helped to understand why Carrier HAP had more than one exposure for the same surface but it didn't seem to help with the multiple spaces problem. The export looks to have worked properly though - the areas where I'm getting duplicates doesn't look any different than the areas where they import normally.

For the zones I was playing around with it and trying different things but I was getting the same error before I started trying out the zones.

I've sent the question off to Carrier HAP support to see if they have insight into why this is happening.

[devonpowell]

Great. I've never used HAP, but with other software it is never straightforward. gbXML is a standard, but each company has to write a translation themselves, and results can be mixed. I dream of a world where BIM -> HVAC Analysis Software -> BIM is easy and robust. Best of luck.

[Kelsey.S]

Hi @scottJUJ3Y,

I was just checking to see if you got your questioned answered. It sounds like the answer is to reach out to Carrier HAP?

Please mark any posts that help with "Accept as Solution" and thanks.

[scottJUJ3Y]

I talked with Carrier HAP support and they pointed out that the gbXML file had spaces in there with no names so HAP defaulted to using the previous space name with a '(1)' after it. I took a look for myself and sure enough there was a space with no name or description in the gbXMl file.

Thinking I had multiple spaces in the same room (or unnamed spaces) I went into Revit and deleted all the spaces using the space schedule and re-exported the gbXML. I looked through this gbXML file and the same spaces still existed (a little harder to find since there are no space names anymore). As a double check I also imported this gbXML file into HAP to see if there were any changes. Unfortunately no change.

They suggested using Insight since it generates a cleaned up model but I can't seem to get the Revit Insight plug-in to work, I keep getting an error that it can't LoadLibrary.

Is there any way that modeling the building a certain way would result in the gbXML export reading two spaces? It shows as one space in Revit, there are no space separators and all the elements are room bounding. I am at a loss.

[devonpowell]

There a a ton of intracacies to modeling to get a good gbXML export, and it depends on the software consuming it. However, here are some good rules of the road to follow. (click each subject link for IES QC instructions)

https://help.iesve.com/ve2018/step_1__check_bim_model.htm?ms=DQAiAAAAAAAAACAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...

You might have some void spaces that HAP is trying to fill? 

If you want to attach a stripped down Revit file I can look at it and tell you if I see anything obvious. 

[scottJUJ3Y · Accepted solution]

Thanks, I got into the online platform for Insight to get an energy model and then export a new gbXML file through Green Building Studio. It got rid of the duplicate spaces but it introduced a whole new host of errors upon import into HAP largely due to material properties (which I hadn't planned on setting up in Revit). At this point we've reverted back to using the Space & Volumes setting and doing a little more data entry in HAP to avoid  having to input data in Revit that we wouldn't use otherwise.