Integration of chaos theory and mathematical models in building simulation : Part II : Conceptual frameworks

a r t i c l e i n f o Current mathematical models in building research have been limited in most studies to linear dynamics systems. A literature review of past studies investigating chaos theory approaches in building simulation models suggests that as a basis chaos model is valid and can handle the increasing complexity of building systems that have dynamic interactions among all the distributed and hierarchical systems on the one hand, and the environment and occupants on the other. The review also identifies the paucity of literature and the need for a suitable methodology of linking chaos theory to mathematical models in building design and management studies. This study is broadly divided into two parts and presented in two companion papers. Part (I), published in the previous issue, reviews the current state of the chaos theory models as a starting point for establishing theories that can be effectively applied to building simulation models. Part (II) develop conceptual frameworks that approach current model methodologies from the theoretical perspective provided by chaos theory, with a focus on the key concepts and their potential to help to better understand the nonlinear dynamic nature of built environment systems. Case studies are also presented which demonstrate the potential usefulness of chaos theory driven models in a wide variety of leading areas of building research. This study distills the fundamental properties and the most relevant characteristics of chaos theory essential to (1) building simulation scientists and designers (2) initiating a dialogue between scientists and engineers, and (3) stimulating future research on a wide range of issues involved in designing and managing building environmental systems. Chaos theory offers a solid theoretical and methodological foundation for interpreting a wide class of nonlinearity, instability and uncertainty which characterise the increasingly complexity of building systems. In this context, crisis is positioned as a natural stage of any system development, but ultimately will lead to a deeper level of understanding. Chaos theory represents a significant paradigm shift from a linear world view, modelled on an old mechanistic and deterministic Cartesian/Newtonian vision, to a post-Cartesian/New-tonian nonlinear world [1]. In the companion paper, starting from the fundamental properties of chaos theory essential to building simulation scientists, the current state and future direction of chaos theory based models in simulating complex building systems, as well as scientific evidence of chaos in building behaviour, are reviewed [2]. The results suggest that chaos …