Building environment design simulation software DeST(1): an overview of developments and information of building simulation and DeST

Many building simulation programs (BSPs) have been developed since the computer-aided simulation technology was applied in the field of HVAC in 1960. In 1980s, the Department of Building Science of Tsinghua University has started to develop China’s first building simulation tool. DeST (Designer’s Simulation Toolkits) is an important achievement based on the developers’ effort in some twenty years. DeST can be used to simulate and analyses the building energy consumption and HVAC system design, so as to improve the quality of design, ensure the reliability of design and reduce the energy consumption of buildings. Reviews the state-of-the-art on the development of building simulation technology, summarizes the characteristics of current BSPs, and describes the basic idea, construction and applications of DeST.