A Review of Building Evacuation Models - NIST Virtual Library
A Review of Building Evacuation Models - NIST Virtual Library
A Review of Building Evacuation Models - NIST Virtual Library
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<strong>Models</strong> Not Yet Released<br />
A.20 Spatial-Grid <strong>Evacuation</strong> Model (SGEM) Package<br />
Developer: Lo, S.M. from the Department <strong>of</strong> <strong>Building</strong> and Construction, City University in<br />
Hong Kong (primary developer).<br />
Purpose <strong>of</strong> the model: The purpose <strong>of</strong> this model is to make use <strong>of</strong> CAD plans to generate<br />
escape patterns from complex buildings 85, 86 .<br />
Availability to the public for use: The model is not yet available to the public. The model has<br />
been used for some consultancy projects; however the developers are still working on the<br />
interface <strong>of</strong> the model, the CAD feature, and the simulation process.<br />
Modeling method: Movement/Partial-Behavioral model<br />
Structure <strong>of</strong> model: The structure <strong>of</strong> the model is ultimately a fine network model. Initially,<br />
the model resolves the building into nodes that represent spaces/zones (unprotected, partially<br />
protected, and fully protected) <strong>of</strong> the building with at least one arc (opening) between the zones,<br />
which is labeled as a coarse network. Then, each zone is divided up into a finite grid <strong>of</strong> cells<br />
each measuring 0.4 x 0.4 m in size to represent the amount <strong>of</strong> space taken up by one occupant,<br />
which is the reason that the model is labeled as a fine network model. Additionally, only one<br />
person occupies a grid cell at a time.<br />
Perspective <strong>of</strong> model: Individual perspective. The model tracks individual occupants at each<br />
time step throughout the building. Also, occupants’ movements throughout the building are<br />
based not only on the distance to an exit but also on other conflicts that arise during the<br />
evacuation.<br />
Occupant behavior: None/implicit.<br />
Individual behavior is simulated using a wayfinding function. The wayfinding function <strong>of</strong> the<br />
model is affected by personal characteristics <strong>of</strong> the individual (age, gender, drive, patience, etc)<br />
and the environmental stimuli in a zone (obstacles, conflicts, smoke, alarm signals, assistance <strong>of</strong><br />
a manager, etc.). This wayfinding function ultimately adjusts the directional adjustment <strong>of</strong><br />
individual’s movement (depending on obstacles and conflicts) and the individual’s speed<br />
(slowing, stopping). However, the reference for the model 85 then states that “at present, we<br />
merely consider three classes <strong>of</strong> behavioural effect and provide respective weightings,” without<br />
going into more detail.<br />
The route choice tendency alters the tendency <strong>of</strong> a direction an occupant takes to leave a zone.<br />
On the other hand, the wayfinding function decides the direction the occupant will actually take<br />
at each time step.<br />
A-71