Macro Flo Opening Types

MacroFlo Opening Types User Guide
<Virtual Environment> 6.0
Page 1 of 18
Contents
1.
2.
3.
Introduction.................................................................................................................. 4
What Are Opening Types? .......................................................................................... 5
MacroFlo Opening Types Manager Interface ............................................................ 5
3.1.
Add ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
3.2.
Reference ID ...................................................................................................................................... 5
3.3.
Description ......................................................................................................................................... 5
3.4.
Exposure Type ................................................................................................................................... 6
3.5.
Opening Category .............................................................................................................................. 6
3.5.1.
Custom/Sharp Edge Orifice....................................................................................................... 7
3.5.1.1. Openable Area % ...................................................................................................................... 7
3.5.2.
Window/Door - Side Hung ......................................................................................................... 7
3.5.2.1. Openable Area % ...................................................................................................................... 7
3.5.2.2. Max Angle Open ..................................................................................................................... 7
3.5.2.3. Proportions ................................................................................................................................ 7
3.5.3.
Window - Centre Hung .............................................................................................................. 7
3.5.3.1. Openable Area % ...................................................................................................................... 7
3.5.3.2. Max Angle Open ..................................................................................................................... 8
3.5.3.3. Proportions ................................................................................................................................ 8
3.5.4.
Window - Top Hung................................................................................................................... 8
3.5.4.1. Openable Area % ...................................................................................................................... 8
3.5.4.2. Max Angle Open ..................................................................................................................... 8
3.5.4.3. Proportions ................................................................................................................................ 8
3.5.5.
Window - Bottom Hung.............................................................................................................. 8
3.5.5.1. Openable Area % ...................................................................................................................... 8
3.5.5.2. Max Angle Open ..................................................................................................................... 9
3.5.5.3. Proportions ................................................................................................................................ 9
3.5.6.
Parallel Hung Windows/Flaps.................................................................................................... 9
3.5.6.1. Openable Area % ...................................................................................................................... 9
3.5.6.2. Max Angle Open ..................................................................................................................... 9
3.5.6.3. Proportions ................................................................................................................................ 9
3.5.7.
Window - Sash .......................................................................................................................... 9
3.5.7.1. Openable Area % ...................................................................................................................... 9
3.5.8.
Sliding/Roller Door................................................................................................................... 10
3.5.8.1. Openable Area % .................................................................................................................... 10
3.5.9.
Louvre...................................................................................................................................... 10
3.5.9.1. Openable Area % .................................................................................................................... 10
3.5.9.2. Coefficient of Discharge .......................................................................................................... 10
3.5.10.
Grille ........................................................................................................................................ 10
3.5.10.1.
Openable Area %............................................................................................................ 10
3.5.10.2.
Coefficient of Discharge.................................................................................................. 10
3.5.11.
Duct ......................................................................................................................................... 11
3.5.11.1.
Openable Area %............................................................................................................ 11
3.5.11.2.
Duct Length (m) .............................................................................................................. 11
3.5.11.3.
Duct................................................................................................................................. 11
Page 2 of 18
3.5.12.
Acoustic Duct........................................................................................................................... 11
3.5.12.1.
Openable Area %............................................................................................................ 11
3.5.12.2.
Duct Length (m) .............................................................................................................. 11
3.5.12.3.
Duct................................................................................................................................. 11
3.6.
Aerodynamic (or equivalent) Area.................................................................................................... 12
-1
-1
-0.6
3.7.
Crack Flow Coefficient (l s m Pa )............................................................................................. 12
3.8.
Crack Length (% of opening perimeter) ........................................................................................... 13
3.9.
Opening Threshold Temperature (C).............................................................................................. 13
3.10. Degree of Opening (% Profile) ......................................................................................................... 13
3.11. OK .................................................................................................................................................... 14
3.12. Cancel .............................................................................................................................................. 14
4.
Wind Pressure Coefficients ...................................................................................... 15

4.1.
4.2.
What Are Wind Pressure Coefficients?............................................................................................ 15

Exposure Types ............................................................................................................................... 17
Page 3 of 18
1. Introduction
This document describes MacroFlo Opening Types, a program for specifying
the air flow characteristics of openings such as windows and doors for use in
the bulk air flow simulation program MacroFlo.
Please refer to the MacroFlo User Guide and the Apache User Guide for further
information about MacroFlo.
Page 4 of 18
2. What Are Opening Types?

In the Virtual Environment, an opening is a window, door or hole created in
ModelIT. These objects may also be used to represent other types of
penetration in the building fabric such as louvres and grilles.
Opening Types provide a means for specifying the air flow characteristics of
windows and doors for the purpose of analysing natural ventilation and
infiltration in MacroFlo. Holes represent a special category of opening with
constant and unmodifiable air flow characteristics, and are not associated with
Opening Types.
The air flow characteristics of an opening include its crackage, openable area
and exposure to the outside environment, as well as parameters indicating how
its area varies with time and (optionally) with room temperature.
The pressure / flow characteristics of openings such as louvres and grilles are
widely available from manufacturers (coefficient of discharge or Cd factors),
however not so for windows. MacroFlo provides a default selection of pressure /
flow characteristics for a wide range of opening types for the convenience of the
<VE> user.
MacroFlo Opening Types are attached to openings in the model using facilities
provided in the MacroFlo Application View.
3. MacroFlo Opening Types Manager Interface

3.1. Add
Add an opening type to the list. The initial properties of the new opening type
will be copied from the currently selected type.
3.2. Reference ID
An 8-character ID unique to the Opening Type. The Reference ID is
constructed automatically by the program from the Description.
3.3. Description
A verbal description of the Opening Type.
Page 5 of 18
3.4. Exposure Type

Select an Exposure Type from the list to specify the exposure of the opening to
wind pressures. For details, see help on Wind Pressure Coefficients and the
MacroFlo Methods manual. For buildings of more than 12.5m in height, use
exposure types with names beginning High-rise. If the Opening Type is to be
used for internal openings only, or if the effects of wind are to be ignored,
select Internal.
3.5. Opening Category

Select the category of opening to be represented by the type. Choose from
custom/sharp edge orifice, window/door side hung, window centre hung,
window top hung, window bottom hung, parallel hung windows/flaps,
window sash, sliding/roller door, louvre, grille, duct or acoustic duct.
Custom/sharp edge orifice is an idealised model of the real air flow/resistance
that occurs through building windows, doors and louvers which in reality
involve more turbulent flow.
To specify a realistic opening type in terms of real air resistance select the
category and define the parameters that are displayed to calculate the
Aerodynamic (or equivalent) Area as a % of the gross opening area as drawn
in ModelIT.
Openable area and modelled elements:
Typically users draw a different level of detail at different stages in the design
process e.g.
Early stage large ModelIT surface elements representing a gross

structural opening of which some sub areas may be openable;
Detail stage many small ModelIT surface elements each representing
an openable (or fixed window) element.
In the examples above openable area may need to include the impact of frame
area or obstructing elements in the openable area and/or define the openable
area in a large element that contains both openable and fixed parts.
It is important not to confuse openable area with geometric free area which
may not be in the plane of the wall.
Page 6 of 18
3.5.1. Custom/Sharp Edge Orifice

3.5.1.1. Openable Area %
The area available for air flow, expressed as a percentage of the overall plane area of the
opening. The value should usually be less than 100%, to allow for window frames, partial
opening and the obstructing effect of pivoting elements. In the case of windows and doors
(using this input method) that open by pivoting, the parameter should be an estimate of the
equivalent area (a sharp edged orifice that has the same flow / pressure characteristics as
the window or door) or alternatively another window type which will account for this fact can
be selected.
Openable Area can be any value from 0% to 100%.
For custom/sharp edge orifice the aerodynamic (or equivalent) free area is taken directly as
the openable area %.
3.5.2. Window/Door - Side Hung

that open by pivoting, the parameter should be set to an estimate of the throat area in the
plane of the window (the hole created by the opening leaf) the minimum cross section
presented by the opening to air passing through it.
Openable area can be any value from 0% to 100%.
3.5.2.2. Max Angle Open
The maximum angle of opening of the window, degrees.
Max angle open can be any value from 10 to 90.
3.5.2.3. Proportions
The ratio of window/door length to window/door height.
Proportions can be defined by selecting any option from Length/Height < 0.5, 0.5 =
Length/Height < 1, 1 = Length/Height < 2, Length/Height > 2.
3.5.3. Window - Centre Hung

Page 7 of 18

The ratio of window length to window height.
Proportions can be defined by selecting any option from Length/Height = 1 or Length/Height
> 2.
3.5.4. Window - Top Hung

3.5.5. Window - Bottom Hung

Page 8 of 18

3.5.6. Parallel Hung Windows/Flaps

plane of the window (the hole created by the opening leafs) the minimum cross section
Proportions can be defined by selecting any option from Length/Height = 1, Length/Height =
2 or Length/Height > 2.
3.5.7. Window - Sash

that open by sliding, the parameter should be set to an estimate of the throat area in the
Page 9 of 18

For sash windows the aerodynamic (or equivalent) free area is taken directly as the
openable area %.
3.5.8. Sliding/Roller Door

that open by sliding, the parameter should be set to an estimate of the throat area in the
For sliding/roller doors the aerodynamic (or equivalent) free area is taken directly as the
openable area %.
3.5.9. Louvre
opening. The value should usually be less than 100%, to allow for frames and bottom
louvres. It is essentially the duct face area.
Openable Area Can be any value from 0% to 100%.
3.5.9.2. Coefficient of Discharge
The coefficient of discharge, Cd, of the louvre used in the calculation of air flow through the
opening (further details in the MacroFlo Calculation Methods manual).
Coefficient of discharge can be any value from 0 to 0.6 Cd.
3.5.10.
Grille

louvres. It is essentially the duct face area.
3.5.10.2. Coefficient of Discharge
The coefficient of discharge, Cd, of the grille used in the calculation of air flow through the
opening (further details in the MacroFlo Calculation Methods manual).
Page 10 of 18
Coefficient of discharge can be any value from 0 to 0.6 Cd.
3.5.11.
Duct

louvers. It is essentially the duct face area.
3.5.11.2. Duct Length (m)
Enter length of the duct in metres, m.
Duct length can be any value from 1m to 10m.
3.5.11.3. Duct
Define the type of duct.
Duct can be defined by selecting any option from;
Straight / one 90 bend / two 90 bends / three 90 bends no grille,
Straight / one 90 bend / two 90 bends / three 90 bends - grille 50%,
Straight / one 90 bend / two 90 bends / three 90 bends - grille 20%.
3.5.12.
Acoustic Duct

louvers. It is essentially the duct face area.
3.5.12.2. Duct Length (m)
Enter length of the duct in metres, m.
Duct length can be any value from 1m to 10m.
3.5.12.3. Duct
The type of duct.
Duct can be defined by selecting any option from:
Straight - free area 20% / 30% / 50% / 100% - no grille,
Angled - free area 20% / 30% / 50% / 100% - no grille,
Page 11 of 18
Straight - free area 20% / 30% / 50% / 100% - grille 50%,

Angled - free area 20% / 30% / 50% / 100% - grille 50%,
Straight - free area 20% / 30% / 50% / 100% - grille 20%,
Angled - free area 20% / 30% / 50% / 100% - grille 20%.
3.6. Aerodynamic (or equivalent) Area

Aerodynamic area represents the actual orifice area as a % of the gross
physical opening that will have the same pressure loss as the selected real
opening type. This is calculated based on the values given for the selected
opening category.
Further information regarding the calculation of aerodynamic (or equivalent)
area for each category is given in the MacroFlo Calculation Methods user
guide.
3.7. Crack Flow Coefficient (l s-1 m-1 Pa-0.6)

A coefficient characterising the leakage properties of the crack. The flow
characteristic is assumed to take the form:
q = C L (0/)0.5 P 0.6
where:
q
C
L
0
P
is the air flow through the crack (l/s)

is the Crack Flow Coefficient (l s-1 m-1 Pa-0.6)
is the length of the crack (m)
is the density of air entering the crack (kg/m3)
= 1.21 kg/m3 is a reference air density
is the pressure difference across the crack (Pa).
Representative measured values of the Crack Flow Coefficient for windows

and doors are given in Tables 1 and 2. These values are taken from An
Analysis and Data Summary of the AIVCs Numerical Database. Technical
Note AIVC 44, March 1994. Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre. University of
Warwick Science Park. Sovereign Court, Sir William Lyons Road, Coventry
CV4 7EZ.
Table 1. Crack Flow Coefficients (l s-1 m-1 Pa-0.6) Windows
Windows (Weatherstripped)
Hinged
Lower Quartile
Median
Upper Quartile
0.086
0.13
0.41
Page 12 of 18
Windows (Non-weatherstripped)
Sliding
0.079
0.15
0.21
Hinged
0.39
0.74
1.1
Sliding
0.18
0.23
0.37
Table 2. Crack Flow Coefficients (l s-1 m-1 Pa-0.6) Doors
External Doors (Weatherstripped)

External Doors (Non-weatherstripped)
Lower Quartile
Median
Upper Quartile
Hinged
0.082
0.27
0.84
Revolving
1.0
1.5
2.0
Hinged
1.1
1.2
1.4
Sliding
0.2
Internal Doors (Non-weatherstripped)
1.1
1.3
2.0
Loft Hatches (Non-weatherstripped)
0.64
0.68
0.75
3.8. Crack Length (% of opening perimeter)

The length of the crack around the opening, expressed as a percentage of the
openings perimeter length. Values greater than 100% are appropriate for
openings such as sash windows. This parameter and the Crack Flow
Coefficient are used to calculate infiltration and air leakage rates for closed
windows and doors. Openings may be eliminated from the MacroFlo analysis
altogether by assigning zeros to either or both crack parameters and the
parameter Openable Area (% of opening area).
3.9. Opening Threshold Temperature (C)

This parameter allows for window opening to be controlled on the basis of
room temperature. Opening Threshold Temperature is the temperature in the
room adjacent to the opening which, when exceeded, will trigger the opening
of the window or door. Once open, it will remain so (possibly in varying
degrees) until the Degree of Opening percentage profile falls to zero,
regardless of subsequent values of the adjacent room air temperature. A low
value for Opening Threshold Temperature (for example 0C) will ensure that
the pattern of opening simply follows the Degree of Opening percentage
profile.
An alternative, and for many purposes preferable, way to control window
opening on the basis of room temperature is by using a formula profile for the
Degree of Opening profile, as described below.
3.10. Degree of Opening (% Profile)

A percentage profile allowing the degree of window or door opening to be
specified as a function of time. The profile may be selected from the list of
Page 13 of 18
Project Percentage Profiles defined in APpro. Subject to the Temperature

Threshold control, the area of the opening will be varied by modulating the
Openable Area with the Degree of Opening percentage profile. When the
Degree of Opening profile is zero, or when the Threshold Temperature control
dictates that the window or door is closed, the opening will be treated as a
crack.
Window opening can be controlled on room temperature, outside temperature
and other variables by setting the Degree of Opening profile to a profile
containing a formula. A common type of formula for this purpose is:
int(100*(ta/24))
This opens the windows when the room air temperature exceeds 24C and
(unlike the Temperature Threshold control) closes them immediately it falls
below this value. The formula should be assigned to the appropriate daily
profile for the period of the day when the windows might be opened. If this type
of window opening control is used, the Opening Threshold Temperature should
be disabled by setting it to a low value such as 0C.
See the section headed Formula Profiles in the APpro User Guide for further
guidance on the use of formula profiles.
3.11. OK
Exit the MacroFlo Opening Types Manager and save the changes.
3.12. Cancel
Exit the MacroFlo Opening Types Manager without saving the changes.
Page 14 of 18
4. Wind Pressure Coefficients

4.1. What Are Wind Pressure Coefficients?
The pressure exerted by the wind on a building is a complicated function of
wind speed, wind direction and building geometry. The surrounding terrain and
nearby obstructions can also be important factors. For practical purposes, wind
pressures are often estimated using wind pressure coefficients. These
coefficients relate the wind pressure on a building surface to the wind speed,
using a relationship of the form:
p = Cp v2 / 2
where:
p
Cp
wind pressure (Pa)

wind pressure coefficient
air density (kg/m3)
reference wind speed (m/s)
Wind pressure coefficients may be obtained by a variety of means, including in

situ measurements, CFD studies and wind tunnel experiments. Those used in
MacroFlo are derived from wind tunnel experiments on simple building models.
These experiments provide wind pressure coefficients for various types of
surface (referred to as Exposure Types) for a range of relative wind directions
(angles of attack). Exposure Types characterise both the geometrical aspects
of the surface (such as roof pitch) and the degree of sheltering by nearby
obstructions.
In line with the convention adopted in the data used by MacroFlo, the
reference wind speed (v) appearing in the pressure formula is normally the free
stream wind speed at the building height. (For an exception to this rule, see
below.) The variable v is estimated from the meteorological wind speed, u,
using an empirical expression for the variation of wind speed with height and
terrain type:
v = u K ha,
where:
u
meteorological wind speed at height 10m in open country (m/s)

Page 15 of 18
h
height above the ground (m)
and a and K are coefficients taking the following values for different terrain
types:
Terrain
Type
Description
Exponent
a
Layer
Thickness
(m)
Country
Open terrain with scattered obstructions

having heights generally less than 10 m,
including flat open country typical of
meteorological station surroundings
0.14
270
0.7244
Suburbs
Urban and suburban areas, wooded areas, or

other terrain with numerous closely spaced
obstructions having the size of single-family
dwellings or larger, over a distance of at least
2000 m or 10 times the height of the structure
upwind, whichever is greater
0.22
370
0.4319
City
Large city centres, in which at least 50% of

buildings are higher than 21m, over a distance
of at least 2000 m or 10 times the height of the
structure upwind, whichever is greater
0.33
460
0.2097
Data in this table is taken from ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals (2001).

ASHRAE provide the following formula for wind speed at height h, based on
the assumption of a power law velocity profile (with exponent a) applying up to
a height , where is the thickness of the atmospheric boundary layer:
met
v = u (met/hmet)
(h/)
where
met = 270 m is the Layer Thickness for the meteorological site (assumed to be
of type Country)
met = 0.14 is the Exponent for the meteorological site (assumed to be of type
Country)
hmet = is the measurement height for the meteorological site (assumed to be 10
m)
In accordance with equations 2 and 3, the values of K appearing in the above
table are calculated from
K = (270/10)0.14 (1/)
An alternative reference wind speed is used in cases not strictly covered by the
experimental data, namely buildings of more than 12.5m in height. In such
Page 16 of 18
cases the reference wind speed depends on the height of the opening. For
openings less than 12.5m off the ground, v is taken to be the free stream wind
speed at 12.5m, or at the height of the building (whichever is the smaller). For
openings above 12.5m, v is taken to be the free stream wind speed at the
height of the opening.
4.2. Exposure Types

MacroFlo uses wind pressure coefficients taken from the Air Infiltration and
Ventilation Centres publication Air Infiltration Calculation Techniques An
Applications Guide. These coefficients, which are derived from wind tunnel
experiments, are recommended for use with buildings of up to 3 storeys (or
about 12.5m). They are provided for a range of exposure types exposed
wall, sheltered roof < 10 deg, etc and for 16 azimuthal angles of attack. An
exposure type must be set for all Opening Types.
When selecting Exposure Types in the MacroFlo Opening Types Manager the
following considerations should be borne in mind:
The terms exposed, semi-exposed and sheltered in the Exposure Type
name refer to the degree of sheltering of the building by surrounding buildings
and other obstructions. Exposed denotes a building standing in open ground
with no obstructions nearby, semi-exposed denotes a building with nearby
obstructions lower in height than the building itself, and sheltered is
appropriate when the surrounding obstructions are of similar height to the
building.
The terms long and short relate to the shape of the building viewed in plan.
The experiments on which the wind pressure coefficients are based dealt with
a square building and a rectangular building with a plan aspect ratio of 2:1.
Short wall and long wall refer respectively to the walls on the short and long
sides of the rectangular building, and wall refers to the walls of the square
building. Long roof and roof refer respectively to the pitched roofs on the
rectangular and square buildings.
When selecting appropriate exposure types for MacroFlo Opening Types, you
should make a judgement as to which of the available exposure types most
accurately describes the exposure of the surfaces to which the Opening Types
are to be assigned.
To cover flat roofs (which were not treated in the experimental study) three
additional Exposure Types have been added: exposed flat roof, semiexposed flat roof and sheltered flat roof. Wind pressure coefficients for these
Page 17 of 18
Exposure Types have been estimated by extrapolating the available

experimental data.
An exposure type appropriate for internal openings, internal, is also provided.
If applied to external openings, this exposure type sets all wind pressure
coefficients to zero, allowing you to investigate flow patterns in the absence of
wind pressures.
Page 18 of 18

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MacroFlo Opening Types User Guide

<Virtual Environment> 6.0

Wind Pressure Coefficients ...................................................................................... 15

What Are Wind Pressure Coefficients?............................................................................................ 15

2. What Are Opening Types?

3. MacroFlo Opening Types Manager Interface

3.4. Exposure Type

3.5. Opening Category

Early stage large ModelIT surface elements representing a gross

3.5.1. Custom/Sharp Edge Orifice

3.5.2. Window/Door - Side Hung

3.5.3. Window - Centre Hung

Openable area can be any value from 0% to 100%.

3.5.4. Window - Top Hung

3.5.5. Window - Bottom Hung

Openable area can be any value from 0% to 100%.

3.5.6. Parallel Hung Windows/Flaps

3.5.7. Window - Sash

Openable Area can be any value from 0% to 100%.

3.5.8. Sliding/Roller Door

3.5.10.1. Openable Area %

Coefficient of discharge can be any value from 0 to 0.6 Cd.

3.5.11.1. Openable Area %

3.5.12.1. Openable Area %

Straight - free area 20% / 30% / 50% / 100% - grille 50%,

3.6. Aerodynamic (or equivalent) Area

3.7. Crack Flow Coefficient (l s-1 m-1 Pa-0.6)

is the air flow through the crack (l/s)

Representative measured values of the Crack Flow Coefficient for windows

Table 2. Crack Flow Coefficients (l s-1 m-1 Pa-0.6) Doors

External Doors (Weatherstripped)

Internal Doors (Non-weatherstripped)

Loft Hatches (Non-weatherstripped)

3.8. Crack Length (% of opening perimeter)

3.9. Opening Threshold Temperature (C)

3.10. Degree of Opening (% Profile)

Project Percentage Profiles defined in APpro. Subject to the Temperature

4. Wind Pressure Coefficients

wind pressure (Pa)

Wind pressure coefficients may be obtained by a variety of means, including in

meteorological wind speed at height 10m in open country (m/s)

Open terrain with scattered obstructions

Urban and suburban areas, wooded areas, or

Large city centres, in which at least 50% of

Data in this table is taken from ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals (2001).

4.2. Exposure Types

Exposure Types have been estimated by extrapolating the available

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