English

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.

Weatherstrip for windows and doors were studied by full-scale tests with regard to airtightness, closing force and ageing properties. Tubular strips provided the highest degree of airtightness in both windows and doors, while angle strips were only slightly inferior in performance. The leakage of air was found to be considerably greater for strips of expanded and foam plastics and fibre strips. For tubular strips of small material thickness and for angle strips, the closing force in doors was low.

This paper is a review of past and current research on the subject of wind loads. Topics discussed are present wind load requirements, the determination of basic design wind velocities, the structure of natural winds, wind-tunnel studies, gusts andthe vibration of structures. Gives recommendations for basic design wind velocities, increase of wind velocity with height,and formulation of shape and gust coefficients. Includes bibliography of 270 references.

This draft gives provisional recommendations for performance requirements for windows. Gives grades of exposure, speed correction factors for ground roughness and height above ground level. Suggests values for wind loading and limits for air infiltration, water penetration and security.

Describes computer program used to calculate the air flows and pressure differentials in a multi-storey building as a result of a combination of wind effect, stack effect and the operation of air handling systems. Describes mathematical model of building and assumptions and limitations of program. Gives complete listing of program.