A Workflow Utilizing Pointclouds and Lod3 Geometry for Neighborhood-Level Building Performance Assessment

Abstract: This study addresses the geometry aspect of urban energy modeling (UBEM). A novel workflow is advanced to gather, prepare, and integrate data from different sources to enable building performance modeling and simulation at the neighborhood scale. The building typology-specific geometry templates to generate LOD3 models and airborne point cloud data to model surrounding trees are used to establish an integrated workflow. The benefits of the workflow are demonstrated through a solar exposure study, showing the significant impact of detailed building geometry, surrounding buildings, and trees on buildings’ solar exposure, ranging from the 0% difference between LOD2 and LOD3 to 47%.