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SAM is a workflow allows you to run and generate simulation models in Revit and Rhino -> it generates SAM Analytical Models in GH and is able to send them to gbXML, gem, Honeybee and Tas. Additionally, all of the results and assumptions are stored in the model and can be sent to Revit. So, by having a Rhino model, you can now generate it to a Revit model with the geometry and data.
currently tested on Rhino 6, Rhino 7 and Revit 2020, 2021, 2022
SAM 3.0 - HVAC systems (component based plant modeller) inspiration1
The workflow that SAM enables can significantly improve the design process, as it allows for faster communication between architects and engineers, improves the documentation process, and increases the overall quality of the models.
The SAM workflow also brings MEP and building physics engineers closer together, where the geometry and data underlying their simulations is co-created and maintained in a common environment (single source of truth). This minimises the typical silo-ed approach where the underlying assumptions in the thermal model on which calculations are based are encapsulated within a model file that MEP engineers would not interrogate or modify. Moving the geometry and simulation parametersto the BIM environment makes them visible and much easier for the wider design team to review, modify, and QA. Full calculation documentation, in the form of PDFs, is automatically produced in a format that is suitable for internal and external issues.
SAM accelerate and enhances the design process required to run energy simulation by generating a ready to run analytical model. Currently SAM links with various tools, toolkits and standards including Revit, Rhino, Ladybug Tools, Topologic, gbXML, Excel, IFC, GEM, Tas and BHoM. Currently the main UI environment platform is Grasshoper3D and Rhino.
The core feature is that SAM analytical Objects can be described by two main categories: Analytical or Geometry(define in SI Units).
For Analytical Objects, the SAM hierarchy is as follow (including the generic components of each object):
- Panel (geometry, PanelType, Aperture, Construction) which defines building element such as Wall, Floor, Roof
- Adjacency Cluster (Panels, Spaces) which defines relations between Panels and Spaces
- Analytical Model (Panels, Spaces, Location, Materials, Profiles) which holds all elements together with additional properties of the model
For Geometry Objects, SAM objects such as Panel or Aperture are described by Face3D (planar geometry with external and internal edges):
- Face3D *currently supported planar, closed and segmentable edges
- External Edge 3D and Internal Edges 3D
- Planar closed geometry (example: Polygon3D) usually described by Plane and related 2D geometry
- 2D closed geometry (example Polygon2D)
All the relations between objects are stored in an Adjacency Cluster from where we can inspect (extract) analytical and geometry objects such as: Panels, Spaces, Shells.
Geometrical representation of space in the analytical model is location point. It does not hold 3D boundary representation but such information can be extracted from Adjacency Cluster. Boundary representation of Space is represented by Shell created based on surrounding panels.
Currently there are various methods to create an Adjacency Cluster which keeps information about Spaces and Panel relations and is rebuilt to satisfy the tolerance requirement, including:
- SAMAnalytical.CreateAdjacencyCluster – using 2D section geometry of roofs/floors to create model
- SAMAnalytical.CreateAdjacencyClusterByBreps – using closed breps from Rhino
- SAMAnalytical.CreateAdjacencyClusterByShells – using SAM shells and Panels
- SAMAalytical.CreateAdjacencyClusterByTopology – using Panels and Topology engine
SAM also uses SI units apart from temperature, which is in degrees Celsius.