English

Studies influence on energy loss of an air curtain installed at building entrance. The energy loss consists of transmission loss and ventilation losses caused by stack effect, pressure difference due to wind, direct wind on the entrance and differences in the specific gravity of inside and outside air. Gives an example of calculated energy loss at the entrance of a simulated department store. Outlines principles and types of air curtain.

Discusses the problems of modelling natural wind in a wind tunnel and notes lack of comparison between full-scale and wind tunnel studies. Reviews past work which often shows marked discrepancies in wind tunnel data. Reports results of a study carried out in the field of wind effects on a half full-size single storey model building. Wind profiles over the site were measured and pressure effects experienced by the model recorded.

The use in metropolitan cities of increasing numbers of skyscrapers in which stack effects are large and entrance traffic heavy calls for a better design of entrance for controlling both infiltration and traffic. Analyses the causes of infiltration, discusses the effect of various parameters, presents design charts for estimating heating and air conditioning loads through swinging-door and revolving-door entrances. Introduces a new design of entrance, the travelling entrance-way, and gives approximate method for calculation of air infiltration through it.

Describes wind tunnel tests on cubical models with roof angles of 0, 15, 30 and 45 and on a wall placed in constant velocity and variable velocity air stream. Discusses the effect of velocity distribution on pressure distribution and wind loads. Presents results in the form of diagrams of pressure coefficients over the models.

Reports a project to assess the value of weatherstripping windows and doors in a 30-year old home. Describes house and retrofitting technique using stainless steel weatherstrips. Air infiltration rates before and after retrofit were measured using three independent methods, tracer gas dilution using SF6,pressurization/depressurization for the whole house and depressurization of individual windows. Finds that air-change-rate for the whole house was reduced by 10-14.7%giving a predicted reduction of 15.5% for a complete retrofit which would result in an energy saving of 4-6%.

Reports study of energy consumption of typical house in Texas. Computer-based model was used to simulate house under different conditions of insulation, infiltration, shading and operation. Gives tables of results of variation in energy use. Finds comparison between "wasteful" and "conservative" home. Shows 56% decrease in annual energy consumption.Concludes that energy saving measures would be cost-effective.

Describes experimental studies of the natural ventilation of four similar houses with different ventilating systems. Describes houses and gives experimental procedure and results of measurements of air-change-rates using hydrogen as a tracer gas.Shows variation in air-change-rates are due mainly to changes in wind speed and that wind direction and temperature difference are secondary factors. Estimates rate of heat loss as a functionof wind speed. Discusses relationship between measured pressure differences and wind speed and direction.

A bibliography of references on the subject of air infiltration, lists references in alphabetical order of author and gives short index to broad subject headings.

Reports tests made on a mobile home to evaluate its thermal performance. Describes home, instrumentation and test procedure. Gives energy consumption as a function of indoor-outdoor temperature difference. Finds that oversized heating plant resulted in low seasonal operating efficiency. Air infiltration was measured using pressurization technique and SF6 as a tracer gas. The latter showed that operation of the heating plant induced higher air infiltration rates. Reports thermographic survey of interior surfaces which showed air paths formed by wrinkles in the surface insulation.

Reports systematic pressure distribution measurements made on models of rectangular buildings of various heights with gabled roofs of different slopes in a wind tunnel. Describes the models and test procedure. Gives results in the form of graphs of mean pressure coefficients for different roof pitch, building height and wind direction. An appendix shows how mean pressure coefficients are obtained from section pressure coefficients, giving graphs of section pressure coefficients over the ground plan of the buildings and the raised roof structure. NOTES translation available from B.S.R.I.A.