English

Examines ways in which air leakage affects building performance. Heating load and building relative humidity in winter are affected by over-all air infiltration and ventilation rates. Windows and doors usually represent the major source of air leakage in buildings. Condensation problems occur when exfiltrating air deposits moisture on surfaces such as atticsand inside double windows. Discusses ways of reducing condensation. Finds that air tightness in inside of enclosure must always be many times greater than that of the outer cladding.

Developes procedure for calculating air infiltration rates due to wind pressures on the exterior walls of buildings, assuming no chimney and mechanical ventilation effects. Assumes resistance to internal air flow is small. Using results of wind tunnel test, presents calculations showing the significant effects a single neighbouring building can have on the infiltration rates. Relative building heights, distance between buildings and wind direction are varied, and both uniform and shear flows are considered.

Gives standard test method for air leakage of joints between components used in the exterior walls of buildings. Outlines basic apparatus and test method. Resistance to air penetration shall be recorded expressed as cubic metres of air per hour.

Sets out the similarity requirements which must be observed so that results of wind tunnel tests may be used to predict behaviour of full-scale prototypes in the natural wind. Discusses rigid models, suspension bridges, models of slender towers. Outlines problems of representing natural wind and the effect of wind tunnel-wall interference. Introduces correction procedure for wake blockage which permits the use of larger wind-tunnel models than would otherwise be possible without serious errors.

Discusses use of long boundary layer wind tunnel to produce a more realistic model of natural wind than that obtained in conventional aeronautical wind tunnel. Reports tests made tofind wind velocity profile and model tests to find dynamic response to wind loads and local pressures on buildings. Finds aeroelastic model response in turbulent flow is markedly different from that in smooth uniform velocity. Concludes that adequate simulation of natural wind has been obtained. Finds comparison between model and full-scale tests is encouraging.

Reviews work done on the physical and biological effects of wind-breaks and shelter-belts, outlining main results. Discusses reduction in mean speed of wind, turbulence produced by shelter-belt, shading and humidity. Outlines some biological consequences of shelter-belts. Gives bibliography containing forty-seven references.

Reports measurements of air change rates made on approximately 250 dwellings, occupied by low income households in 14 cities, in all major climatic zones of the United States. Two types of measurements were used : a tracer-gas decay technique using air sample bags and a fan depressurization test that measures induced air exchange rates. Shows that for this group of dwellings natural air infiltration rates have an approximate lognormal distribution.

Discusses problem of assessing wind loads on buildings. Describes general properties of the wind and suggests wind can be described by its mean velocity with superimposed gusts. Suggests averaging period of 10-15 minutes for the mean velocity. Gives empirical expression for wind spectra. Considers relationship between extreme value of wind speed and the parent distribution. Suggests influence of gusts is not best determined by maximum gust speeds. Finds mean wind speed profile and turbulent structure are strongly dependent on terrain.

Describes experimental techniques used to produce turbulent boundary layers in a wind tunnel. Gives model law for velocity profile in a turbulent flow over a rough surface. Describes wind tunnel, five tunnel coatings used to generate turbulence, themodels and instrumentation. Gives as an example the test results from a model of house with desk roof.

Reviews some previous work on the measurement of wind pressures at full-scale. Deals with some of the problems arising. Describes pilot investigation being made at State House, Holborn to develop suitable techniques and to study the effect of gusts on pressure distribution. Gives preliminary results and mentions problem of establishing a suitable reference pressure.