Delphin
Delphin is a comprehensive numerical simulation tool for the combined heat, moisture, and matter (e.g. salt) transport in porous building materials. It is mostly applied to calculate transient processes in building envelopes and construction details, and predict condensation problems and durability risks in general. Screen Shots
Keywords
Coupled heat, air and moisture transport, porous materials, building envelope
Validation/Testing
The software was tested according to HAMSTAD Benchmarks 1 to 5, EN 15026:2007. The software is also validated to conform with both two-dimensional cases of ISO 10211:2007, Annex A. The testcases are available on http://www.bauklimatik-dresden.de/delphin/benchmarks/en-10211_2007.php
The parameterization and transport models are also tested against measurements obtained in several test houses. For details see: http://www.bauklimatik-dresden.de/delphin/benchmarks.php
Expertise Required
Fundamental knowledge of transport processes in porous media, mainly heat transfer and moisture storage and transfer. General building science knowledge required. Sound knowledge of building physics principles in this field are recommended for analysis and interpretation of results for complex dynamic 2D processes.
Users
Commercially more than 500 for all DELPHIN versions. If students are included, likely more than 2,000. In the U.S., most users apply CHAMPS-BES (the free version of DELPHIN).
Audience
Ambitious engineers, architects, designers; building science experts, building physicists, researchers, lecturers and students in building science and building physics
Input
Geometry, materials, initial conditions, boundary conditions including applied climate that describe construction model. Climatic conditions are provided for several locations, and can be easily generated by the user (plain text files). Material data is provided in a material data base (with most materials measured at the Institute of Building Climatology, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany). All input files are plain text and can be edited/programmed by the user. For convenience, a powerful and very user-friendly user interface is provided (handles all assignments, grid generation, output visualization etc.)
Output
Written as either plain text output files or binary files (for larger 2D details). User can specify output quantities from a large variability of outputs: temperature, humidity, partial pressures, liquid pressures, concentrations, heat fluxes, moisture fluxes (individual or lumped); User can specify format (spatial average, integral, fields). Post-processing tool integrated in DELPHIN provides various visualization methods and analysis algorithms (including calculations and approximations). Post-processing allows user to create and store print-ready charts.
Computer Platform
User interface and post-processing: Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista Solver core: cross-platform (all OS capable of compiling C++ code), precompiled solvers for Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista and several Linux platforms (openSuse, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Redhat ) Linux solver variants are useful for variation studies and cluster runs.
Programming Language
C++
Strengths
Flexibility: user can control almost all model features and use the program for many different application cases (including soil transfer models, clothing, storage tanks). Calculation speed: DELPHIN has one of the fastest numerical solvers for HAM transfer problems while providing the most flexibility at the same time User-friendliness: User interface of DELPHIN provides quick access to all input and implements the modeling in a unique and easy-to-grasp way
Weaknesses
Flexibility: user can model the same problem in several ways, and potentially obtain different results Complexity: interaction of different models and transport processes may require much experience and a longer learning curve, particularly for analyzing and interpreting the results
Contact
Company: |
Institut für Bauklimatik |
Address: |
Institute for Building Climatology |
Telephone: |
+49 (351) 463 35259 |
E-mail: |
|
Website: |
Availability
Different licensing options, see
http://www.bauklimatik-dresden.de/delphin/index.php?aLa=en for details. Free for students, small fee for academic/public institutions.Order via E-mail or fax or telephone. Software can be downloaded from Web page, license key is mailed to user.