COMPUTER SIMULATED LIFT DESIGN—ANALYSIS FOR OFFICE BUILDINGS

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Abstract
A computer program (codenamed FOREL) has been written which simulates the lift traffic conditions existing in the morning up-peak and evening down-peak period for any specified single-zone office building. The progralm in its present form is a prototype for more sophisticated systems of lift analysis. On the basis of specified performance criteria, a number of feasible solutions are generated with a full listing or relevant infomation about each solution. To use the progmm the operator must supply the following data which is punched onto data cards: building length in feet: building width in feet; number of floors (above ground); storey height in feet; height of ground floor in feet: expected life of the building. Internally are specified: a 5-minute handling capacity in terms of a percentage of building population (ie. 12%): a manximum value for the average waiting interval. Both of these figures are supplied for the morning peak period which is regarded as the critical period. On the basis of this information, the program then calculates the number of lifts of a certain size and speed which are required. checking each solution for the albove criteria and against the performance during the evening peak period. Output from the program consists of a complete list of all possible. feasible solutions with the following information provided: number of lift cars: size of lift cars; speed of lift cars; average waiting interval and handing capacity for morning and evening peak periods; return trip time; area occupied by lift wells expressed as a percentage of rentable area; grade of service assessment; cost based upon present worth sittiation. This listing allows full comparison of all solutions. No final decision is made by the computer. The responsibility of this still rests with the designer. In this way. the program remains a design aid and not a design mechanism.

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