Instruments full-scale agricultural and horticultural buildings with surface pressure sensors to measure wind loads under natural wind conditions. To show the effect of building geometry on wind loads, presents results of pressure coefficients on a selection of these buildings. The results in this report relate to transverse wind direction only. Shows that wind load does not reduce to a function of the geometric variables of height/span and roof pitch.
Carries out measurements of the air infiltration rate of 3 large single cell buildings using the tracer dilution method. The purpose is to determine whether or not there are any special difficulties in using the tracer dilution method in this type of building, prior to emabarking on a more substantial measurement program. Uses nitrous oxide and sulphur hexafluoride as tracers. Finds both to be satisfactory, but concludes that SF6 in conjunction with a portable gas chromatograph performs more reliably when used for on-site measurements.
Commercial building energy analyses may be used for new building design, energy end use forecasting and energy audit calculations. Many building simulation programs, such as DOE 2.1A or BLAST, are quite complex and must berun by specialists on main frame computers. A simplified method of commercial building energy analysis has been developed and utilises a database of previous DOE 2.1A simulations to predict the outcome of other simulations. Applies this method to an office building in one climate region and finds that it predicts heating, cooling, and total energy use very accurately.
Describes energy use in Swedish homes from 1963 to 1980 using data assembled and analysed for the first time. Changes in energy use by fuel and purpose before and after the 1973 oil price rise are illustrated and discussed, and savings in space heating in the year 1980, compared with the pre-embargo period, are quantified.
Describes a recent survey of a large ink manufacturing works in an effort to solve thermal comfort problems by improving the ventilation of specific areas of the plant. Six buildings were investigated. Illustrates them diagrammatically and explains the ventilation solutions recommended. Explains the base of the estimated construction and installation costs.
The model of moisture concentrations in a building cavity containing hygroscopic material presented in earlier works is extended to allow for evaporating surfaces within the cavity (eg soil, water tanks) and fluctuating external climatic conditions. Linearized coupled differential equations are solved for three cases - 1. Steady state 2. Step function 3. Periodic climate driving forces. The third case gives formulae predicting the cavity moisture contents at any time of day or year, and shows that the steady state approximation is adequate for all but the tightest cavities.
Presents the results of tests on the air leakage characteristics of a number of different energy conservation products applied to a double hung window. Gives air leakage characteristics under simulated in-situ conditions atvarious wind speeds for the different products. Results show that interior shutters perform best, followed by interior storm windows, a reflective shade, quilts and standard window shades. Within a group, products involving perimeter sealing give the best air leakage characteristics.
Discusses the mechanisms available for "single-sided" ventilation - ie when ventilation is achieved by the exchange of air through windows on one side of a space rather than by cross-ventilation. Describes a simple approach to its prediction based upon a combination of theoretical modelling, wind tunnel testing and tracer gas measurements made in full-scale buildings. Describes wind tunnel and full scale measurements which show the effect of degree of opening, window type and combinations of windows on the magnitude of ventilation rate.
Describes the results of a series of observations of window opening by occupants of 200 small offices in 5 buildings. Shows a high degree of association between the number of windows open and weather-related parameters. Estimated ventilation rates based upon the proportion of windows open, indicate levels substantially in excess of those required for indoor quality control, for a large part of the heating season.
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