Simulation on Multiple Dimensions for the Evaluation of New Designs. A Practical Experience

Our application problem is the study of the radiation, by simulation, into several greenhouse structures typologies. One of our initial decisions was using the most specific tools. We used a space/time distributed schema. First, we proposed to discretize the time axis, in order to model the evolution of the radiation at a given place. Secondly, we proposed the discretization of the surfaces on finite elements, using them as sources of radiation. Third, we evaluate the absorption of the radiation into the greenhouse by alternative configurations of the canopy. Input data of the simulation system are the greenhouse structure parameters, time period and interval time to simulate, cover and soil characteristics, and radiation absorption model into the greenhouse. Main conclusions include the interest of multidimensional finite element treatment and module distribution.