Introducing and testing a strategy for fit-for-purpose occupant behavior modeling in a simulation-aided building design process

Occupant behavior (OB) is among the most influential causes of uncertainty in building performance predictions. Not considering the potential influence of uncertainties on building performance could mislead the decision-making process during the design phase. Hence, it is crucial to include the modeling of uncertainties within building performance simulation (BPS) models. As for uncertainties due to OB, there are a number of ways to model them in BPS tools, characterized by different levels of complexity. Literature shows that the appropriate modeling approach depends on the object and purpose of the simulation, which makes it difficult for the simulationist to favor a method over another a priori. Moreover, there are currently no guidelines which offer support for selecting the most appropriate modeling approach. This study seeks to fill this gap by proposing a step-by-step strategy – the fit-for-purpose occupant behavior modeling (FFP-OBm) strategy – to select the appropriate OB modeling complexity.