Reports investigation to devise a simple method for measuring the airtightness of buildings which will provide clear results in conformity with a definite standard, swedish building regulations 1975. Consists of two parts; field measurements comprising overpressure and tracer gas methods using nitrous oxide, and a theoretical calculation of the infiltration of air into a building. Shows that a test method to measure the airtightness of buildings can be developed.

Explains forces causing stack effect in multi-storey buildings and suggests ways of reducing air leakage. Mentions that stack effect makes the operation of doors difficult and interferes with the operation of dampers.

According to TGL standard 112-0319, the demand of heat required for ventilating a building essentially depends on the passage of air through its window and door joints. This varies to a great extent. The losses of thermal energy can be reduced substantially by tolerance specifications for joint dimensions. Such tolerances will result in permissible resistance coefficients for different types of windows. Depending on thehygienic requirements suitable selection is then possible within a narrow margin of error.

States heat load on buildings due to wind is dependent on the shape of building, wind direction and wind speed. Gives theoretical calculation for the heat loss due to wind based ongerman standard DIN 4701. Discusses fundamentals of fluid dynamics and the practicalities of wind tunnel tests. Recounts tests made of a block of flats in Munich. Pressure distribution due to wind was determined by a wind tunnel test on a model, giving c-profiles for different wind directions.

Discusses reasons for making buildings air-tight and the requirements of the swedish building code. Gives examples of design solutions for detached houses and construction details for applying an internal vapour barrier consisting of a polythene sheet. Describes application to seven bungalows, resulting in air change per hour of 0.67 to 0.86. Subsequent measurements of ventilation and air velocity showed that in mechanically ventilated airtight houses the flow of ventilation air can be accurately controlled by the exhaust fan.

Summarises research into air leakage. Describes field studies of air leakage of exterior walls, the heat loss caused by stack effect and smoke movement caused by wind and stack effect. Describes mathematical model for air leakage and flow patters of multi-storey buildings. Discusses implications of results on building design. NOTES general survey only.

Describes method for simulating natural wind boundary layer in a conventional, short working section, aeronautical wind tunnel. Boundary layers, which may be as thick as one-half of the working section height are generated by spires at the working section inlet. This approach is used to measure mean wind pressures and pressure spectra on a model of a tall building in downtown Montreal. Measurements are repeated using the long roughness fetch technique for boundary layer generation and results from the two methods compared.

Analyses theoretically the natural ventilation of buildings. Derives fundamental formula for the amount of ventilation due to temperature difference from Bernouilli's theorem considering buoyancy. Explains physical meaning of friction loss and theneutral zone, derives pressure distribution due to wind from the shape of buildings and the location of openings. Obtains total expression for amount of ventilation due to both temperature difference and wind.

Describes research to study movement of air through fully or partially open doorways with and without influence of temperature, and to ascertain amount of supply air required toprevent this movement. Studies door openings of 0.10 to 104 m. wide and temperature differential of 0 to 12 deg.C. States that from these results critical areas in hospitals may be designed more effectively to given requirements.

Describes laboratory test performed on four steel swing windows and one steel double-hung window to determine leakage rates at different values of pressure and humidity. Concludes there is a wide variation in leakage rates of well constructed windows. Test results depend on the method of closing and latching windows, leakage for steel swing windows is found to differ when determined with ascending and descending pressure differences because the window is closed more tightly after completion of the ascending pressure difference.