MacrFl User Guide IES Virtual Envirnment 6.5 Macrfl VE 6.5 MacrFl 1
Cntents 1 Intrductin... 4 1.1 MacrFl View... 4 1.2 Overview f MacrFl View Interface Features... 4 1.2.1 Virtual Envirnment Menu Bar... 4 1.2.2 MacrFl Specific Menu... 4 1.2.3 MacrFl Edit Tlbar... 4 1.2.4 Mdel Wrkspace... 5 1.2.5 Mdel View Tlbar... 5 1.2.6 Mdel Brwser... 5 1.3 Cmmn Tls fr Mdel Viewing and Interrgatin... 6 2 Building Element Opening Type Data... 7 2.1 What are Building Elements and Opening Types?... 7 2.2 The Opening Type Attribute fr an Opening... 7 2.3 Changing the Opening Type... 7 2.4 Selecting Openings fr Opening Type Editing... 8 2.4.1 At Mdel Level... 8 2.4.2 At Space Level... 8 2.4.3 At Surface Level (pening mde)... 8 2.5 Changing the Opening Type fr Selected Openings... 9 3 MacrFl Opening Types... 10 3.1 What are Opening Types?... 10 3.2 MacrFl Opening Types Manager Interface... 11 3.2.1 Add... 11 3.2.2 Reference ID... 11 3.2.3 Descriptin... 11 3.2.4 Expsure Type... 11 3.2.5 Opening Categry... 12 4 MacrFl Tlbar... 16 4.1 Save... 16 4.2 Select Object... 16 4.3 Edit Selectin Set Opening Types... 16 VE 6.5 MacrFl 2
4.4 Apache Prfile Database Manager... 16 4.5 Query... 16 4.6 MacrFl Opening Types Database Manager... 16 4.7 Mdel Viewer... 17 VE 6.5 MacrFl 3
1 Intrductin 1.1 MacrFl View The MacrFl view is psitined within the Virtual Envirnment s Thermal categry and prvides facilities fr the preparatin f input data fr the MacrFl bulk air flw simulatin prgram. The simulatin prgram itself is run frm within the Apache view. MacrFl is a prgram fr analysing infiltratin and natural ventilatin in buildings. It uses a znal airflw mdel t calculate bulk air mvement in and thrugh the building, driven by wind and buyancy induced pressures. Details f the methds used in MacrFl may be fund in the MacrFl Calculatin Methds manual. MacrFl is invked as an adjunct t Apache Simulatin, as described in the Apache User Guide. The preparatin f MacrFl input data in the MacrFl view cnsists f setting the air flw characteristics f penings in the building (windws, drs and hles). This task is clsely analgus t the task f setting cnstructin data fr building elements in the Apache view. The MacrFl view is cnsiderably simpler than the Apache view, hwever, since its sle purpse is the setting f air flw data fr penings. 1.2 Overview f MacrFl View Interface Features The MacrFl view cnsists f the fllwing interface features: 1.2.1 Virtual Envirnment Menu Bar These menus prvide functins used thrughut the Virtual envirnment and als functins specific t the MacrFl view under the MacrFl pull-dwn menu. 1.2.2 MacrFl Specific Menu This pull-dwn menu prvides functins specific t the MacrFl view. 1.2.3 MacrFl Edit Tlbar These icns prvide a quick rute t functins n the MacrFl menu bar. VE 6.5 MacrFl 4
1.2.4 Mdel Wrkspace This displays the mdel gemetry and prvides a graphical means f selecting gemetrical bjects. 1.2.5 Mdel View Tlbar This prvides functins fr manipulating the view f the gemetrical mdel. 1.2.6 Mdel Brwser This list f rms, pening up t display surfaces and penings in thse rms, prvides an alternative way t view and select gemetrical bjects. VE 6.5 MacrFl 5
1.3 Cmmn Tls fr Mdel Viewing and Interrgatin Befre using the MacrFl view yu shuld familiarise yurself with the fllwing tls, which prvide the means fr navigating arund the mdel t view and set rm and building element attributes: The Virtual Envirnment menu bar The mdel wrkspace The mdel brwser The mdel view tlbar In particular, yu shuld be familiar with the fllwing prcedures described in the MdelIT User Guide: Selecting a view f the mdel wrkspace using the fllwing buttns n the mdel view tlbar: Fit view Zm windw Zm in Zm ut Pan Zm previus Zm next View axis (Plan, Right, Left, Frnt, Back, Axn.) Set axnmetric rtatin Rtate view Selecting a single rm r a set f rms by clicking in the mdel wrkspace. Selecting a single rm r a set f rms by clicking in the mdel brwser. Panning and zming the mdel image. Mving between the fllwing mdel decmpsitin levels using the up and dwn arrws n the view tlbar (r by duble-clicking n a rm r surface): Mdel level Space level (nly surface mde applies in the MacrFl view) Surface level (nly pening mde applies in the MacrFl view) Mving between mdel decmpsitin levels by clicking in the mdel brwser. VE 6.5 MacrFl 6
2 Building Element Opening Type Data 2.1 What are Building Elements and Opening Types? A building element (ften shrtened t element) is a cmpnent f the building such as a wall, ceiling, flr r windw. Fr cnvenience, building elements are divided int categries such as External wall, Internal glazing, etc. In the MacrFl view, nly the categries External glazing, Internal glazing and Dr are imprtant. Elements in these categries are called penings. They may be assigned data allwing MacrFl t simulate the passage f air thrugh them. An pening type is a type f building element in the cntext f MacrFl. It cnsists f a specificatin f the element s air flw characteristics and the way they vary with time. Opening types are created and edited in the MacrFl Opening Types dialg. Anther type f pening is a hle. Hles have fixed air flw characteristics and d nt need t be assigned air flw characteristics in the MacrFl view. 2.2 The Opening Type Attribute fr an Opening Every pening has an attribute specifying its pening type. When the pening is created in MdelIT, its pening type is set by the active MacrFl Openings Template. This setting can later be changed using tls prvided in the MacrFl view. The pening type attribute fr an element cnsists f a pinter t ne f the pening types defined in APcdb. This means that if the pening type data is edited in the MacrFl Opening Types dialg, the change immediately and autmatically takes effect fr all elements t which that pening type is assigned. 2.3 Changing the Opening Type The mechanism fr changing the pening types f penings is as fllws: 1. Select an pening r a set f penings (this is called the selectin set). 2. Fr the selected penings, replace all instances f ne pening type with anther pening type. The first peratin may be dne in varius ways depending n the selectin set required (see Selecting penings fr pening type editing). Fr the secnd peratin the usual methd is t use the functin Edit selectin set pening types (see Changing the pening type fr selected penings). An alternative methd fr individual penings is t use the Query buttn see Query. The same mechanisms may be used t inspect the pening type f penings withut changing them. VE 6.5 MacrFl 7
2.4 Selecting Openings fr Opening Type Editing There are several ways t select a set f penings in the MacrFl view. 2.4.1 At Mdel Level At the mdel level f decmpsitin yu may select a single rm r a set f rms by clicking in the mdel wrkspace r the mdel brwser. Fr the purpses f pening type setting, this selects all the penings cntained in thse rms. 2.4.2 At Space Level At the space level f decmpsitin (surface mde applies here) yu may select a rm surface. Fr the purpses f pening type setting, this selects all the penings cntained in that surface. 2.4.3 At Surface Level (pening mde) At the surface level f decmpsitin (pening mde applies here) yu may select a single pening r a set f penings. VE 6.5 MacrFl 8
2.5 Changing the Opening Type fr Selected Openings After yu have selected a set f penings yu can change (r simply inspect) their pening types by clicking n the icn Edit selectin set pening types n the Edit tlbar. Edit selectin set pening types dialgue (space level shwn). On the left f the dialgue a graphic f the selectin set is shwn. At mdel and space level, the graphic uses the same view rtatin as the active mdel windw. It is usually easier t see the varius elements if yu select an Axnmetric view in the active mdel windw befre using the Edit selectin set pening types tl. If mre than ne element categry is represented in the selectin set it is first necessary t select ne f these categries frm the list headed Select categry. Any edits will be applied nly t elements (penings) in the selected categry. Under the heading Opening Type yu will see a list f the pening types currently assigned t the selected penings. By clicking n each pening type in turn yu will be able t identify the penings where the pening type is used. These penings are highlighted n the graphic. At any stage in this inspectin prcess yu may replace all the highlighted instances f the selected pening type with anther pening type. T d this, click n the desired replacement pening type in the list headed Pssible replacement pening types, and then click n Replace. If yu need t create r mdify pening types during this prcess yu can pen the MacrFl Opening Types dialg by clicking n the Opening Types buttn. VE 6.5 MacrFl 9
3 MacrFl Opening Types 3.1 What are Opening Types? In the Virtual Envirnment, an pening is a windw, dr r hle that exists in the 3d mdel gemetry as created, fr example, in MdelIT. These bjects may als be used t represent ther types f penings in the building fabric such as luvres and grilles. Opening Types prvide a means fr specifying the air flw characteristics f windws and drs fr the purpse f analysing natural ventilatin and infiltratin in MacrFl. The air flw characteristics f an pening include its crackage, penable area and expsure t the utside envirnment, as well as parameters indicating hw its area varies with time and (ptinally) with rm temperature. These penings are treated in MacrFl as sharp edge rifices with a fixed discharge cefficient f 0.62. The MacrFl Opening Types dialg assist users in selecting an apprpriate equivalent area % fr their pening type. The equivalent area is the area f a sharp edged rifice thrugh which air wuld pass at the same flw rate, under an identical applied pressure difference, as the pening under cnsideratin. Thus the equivalent area % is the equivalent area f the pening type expressed as a percentage f the pening drawn in the Mdel. Typically this will be less than 100% t allw fr immvable elements such as the frame and bstructing pivting elements, but can be greater than 100% t allw fr scenaris whereby the fixed discharge cefficient f 0.62 is nt apprpriate. The pressure / flw characteristics f penings such as luvres and grilles are widely available frm manufacturers (cefficient f discharge r Cd factrs); hwever these prperties are nt readily available fr windws. MacrFl prvides a default selectin f pressure / flw characteristics fr a wide range f pening types fr the cnvenience f the <VE> user. Hles represent a special categry f pening with cnstant and un-mdifiable air flw characteristics, and are nt assciated with Opening Types. MacrFl Opening Types are attached t penings in the mdel using facilities prvided in the MacrFl Applicatin View. VE 6.5 MacrFl 10
3.2 MacrFl Opening Types Manager Interface 3.2.1 Add Add an pening type t the list. The initial prperties f the new pening type will be cpied frm the currently selected type. 3.2.2 Reference ID An 8-character ID unique t the Opening Type. The Reference ID is cnstructed autmatically by the prgram frm the Descriptin. 3.2.3 Descriptin A verbal descriptin f the Opening Type. 3.2.4 Expsure Type Select an Expsure Type frm the list t specify the expsure f the pening t wind pressures. Fr details, see help n Wind Pressure Cefficients and the MacrFl Methds manual. Fr buildings f mre than 12.5m in height, use expsure types with names beginning High-rise. If VE 6.5 MacrFl 11
the Opening Type is t be used fr internal penings nly, r if the effects f wind are t be ignred, select Internal. 3.2.5 Opening Categry Select the categry f pening t be represented by the type. Chse frm custm/sharp edge rifice, windw/dr side hung, windw centre hung, windw tp hung, windw bttm hung, parallel hung windws/flaps, windw sash, sliding/rller dr, luvre, grille, duct r acustic duct. Custm/sharp edge rifice is an idealised mdel f the real air flw/resistance that ccurs thrugh building windws, drs and luvers which in reality invlve mre turbulent flw. T specify a realistic pening type in terms f real air resistance select the categry and define the parameters that are displayed t calculate the Equivalent Area as a % f the grss pening area as drawn in MdelIT. Openable area and mdeled elements: Typically users draw a different level f detail at different stages in the design prcess e.g. Early stage large MdelIT surface elements representing a grss structural pening f which sme sub areas may be penable; Detail stage many small MdelIT surface elements each representing an penable (r fixed windw) element. In the examples abve penable area may need t include the impact f frame area r bstructing elements in the penable area and/r define the penable area in a large element that cntains bth penable and fixed parts. It is imprtant nt t cnfuse penable area with gemetric free area which may nt be in the plane f the wall. 3.2.5.1 Custm/Sharp Edge Orifice Openable Area % All penings in MacrFl are treated as sharp edged rifices with a discharge cefficient f 0.62 during the simulatin. Fr all f the ther pening types the user inputs characteristics fr their pening (penable area, max pivting angle etc.) which are then cnverted int an equivalent rifice area by the pening types dialg. Fr the Custm/Sharp Edge Orifice pening type the penable area % equals the equivalent area %. Thus, the user themselves enters the equivalent area as a percentage f the grss area f the pening in the mdel. When using the Custm/Sharp Edge Orifice categry fr windws and drs which pen by pivting, this equivalent area shuld allw fr immveable elements, such as frames and areas which d nt pivt, and als the bstructing effect f the pivting element which can result in additinal aerdynamic cnstrictin in excess f that fund in a sharp edged rifice. As such, the penable area shuld typically be less than 100%. Openable areas greater than 100% may be assigned in scenaris where the discharge cefficient f 0.62 may be nt be apprpriate. See the MacrFl Calculatin Methds User Guide fr further details. VE 6.5 MacrFl 12
3.2.5.2 Pivting Windw/Dr Windws and drs which pen by pivting can be input using ne f the apprpriate pivting pening types, these are: - Windw / Dr Side Hung - Windw Centre Hung - Windw Tp Hung - Windw Btm hung - Parallel hung windws / flaps Openable Area % The area f the pivting element f the windw/dr, expressed as a percentage f the verall plane area f the pening drawn in the mdel. The value shuld usually be less than 100%, t allw fr windw frames and immveable windw elements. Max Angle Open The maximum angle f pening f the windw/dr in degrees. Lwer values result in a reduced area available fr flw, and hence a smaller discharge cefficient and equivalent area %. Cnversely, higher values result in an increased area available fr flw and hence a larger discharge cefficient and equivalent area %. Fr windws which are restricted t pening angles belw the minimum angle available, the user must themselves calculate an apprpriate equivalent area fr their pening and input this using the Custm/Sharp Edge Orifice pening categry. Opening Categry Min Angle ( ) Max Angle ( ) Windw / Dr Side Hung 10 90 Windw Centre Hung 15 90 Windw Tp Hung 10 90 Windw Btm hung 10 90 Parallel hung windws / flaps 15 90 Prprtins The rati f windw/dr length t windw/dr height. This parameter affects the discharge cefficient (Cv) fr the windw and as such altering it will alter the Equivalent rifice area %. Equivalent Orifice Area % The Equivalent Orifice Area % represents the actual sharp edge rifice area as a % f the grss physical pening drawn in the mdel thrugh which air will pass at an identical flw rate, under an identical pressure difference, t the pening in questin. This is calculated based n the values chsen fr the selected pening type. VE 6.5 MacrFl 13
3.2.5.3 Sliding Windws and Drs Windws and drs which pen by sliding can be specified using ne f the apprpriate sliding pening categries, these are: - Windw Sash - Sliding/ Rller Dr Openable Area % The penable area fr sliding elements is given by the crss sectinal area presented by the pening t air passing thrugh it, expressed as a percentage f the grss pening area defined in the mdel gemetry. This value shuld usually be less than 100%, t allw fr windw frames and partial pening. Equivalent Orifice Area % The Equivalent Orifice Area % represents the actual sharp edge rifice area as a % f the grss physical pening drawn in the mdel thrugh which air will pass at an identical flw rate, under an identical pressure difference, t the pening in questin. Sliding Windws and drs have a fixed discharge cefficient f 0.65 representative f a fully pen windw and the equivalent rifice area will be equal t the penable area adjusted t accunt fr the difference between this discharge cefficient and that fr a sharp edge rifice. 3.2.5.4 Grilles, Luvres and Dampers Grilles, Luvres and Dampers fr which discharge cefficients are available can be specified by chsing ne f the apprpriate pening categries, these are: - Luvre - Grille Openable Area % The penable area fr these pening types is defined as the Gemetric Area in EN12101, that is: The area f the pening thrugh a ventilatr, measured in the plane defined by the surface f the cnstructin wrks, where it cntacts the structure f the ventilatr. N reductin will be made fr cntrls, luvers r ther bstructins This shuld be expressed as a percentage f the grss pening drawn in the mdel and will typically equal 100%. Ceff. Discharge The cefficient f discharge fr the pening given in the available prduct literature. The cefficient f discharge is defined as: The rati f actual flw rate, measured under specified cnditins, t the theretical flw rate thrugh the ventilatr Cefficients f discharge between 0.0 and 0.6 can be specified. Equivalent Orifice Area % The Equivalent Orifice Area % represents the actual sharp edge rifice area as a % f the grss physical pening drawn in the mdel thrugh which air will pass at an identical flw rate, under an identical pressure difference, t the pening in questin. This will be based n the penable area % defined fr this pening type and adjusted t accunt fr the difference between the discharge cefficients fr a sharp edge rifice (0.62) and the ventilatr in questin. VE 6.5 MacrFl 14
3.2.5.5 Ducts Ducts can be specified by specified by selecting ne f the apprpriate duct pening categries, these are: - Duct - Acustic Duct Duct pening categries assigned t an pening take int accunt pressure drp at bth ends f the duct and als pressure lsses alng the length f the duct. Thus when physically drawing the duct in the mdel, the duct pening type shuld nly be assigned t ne end f the duct as this accunts fr the pressure drp acrss the entire duct including lsses at bth ends. Openable Area % This is the grss face area f the duct pening expressed as a percentage f the pening drawn in the mdel and will typically equal 100%. Duct Length This is the ttal length f the duct frm inlet side t utlet side. Duct length can be any value frm 1m t 10m. Duct Prperties f the duct which influence the pressure drp acrss the duct are specified here. Fr the pening categry duct the prperties specified are the number f bends (assumed t be square bends) and the grille free area %. Fr the pening categry acustic duct the prperties specified are whether the duct is straight r angled, the free area f the duct (expressed as a percentage), and the free area acrss the grille (expressed as a percentage). Equivalent Orifice Area % The Equivalent Orifice Area % represents the actual sharp edge rifice area as a % f the grss physical pening drawn in the mdel thrugh which air will pass at an identical flw rate, under an identical pressure difference as the duct in questin. This will accunt fr bth in line lsses thrugh the duct (dependent n duct type and length) and als end lsses at bth ends (dependent n grille prperties selected). VE 6.5 MacrFl 15
4 MacrFl Tlbar The MacrFl tlbar prvides a quick rute t sme f the ptins n the MacrFl pull-dwn menus. 4.1 Save Save the MacrFl view data t file. 4.2 Select Object Switch t select bject mde after peratins in which a muse click is interpreted in anther way. Select bject is currently the nly mde used in the MacrFl view. 4.3 Edit Selectin Set Opening Types Edit r view the pening type fr the selected penings. See 1 Changing the pening type fr selected penings. 4.4 Apache Prfile Database Manager Run APpr, the Apache prfile database manager. APpr is used t create and edit prfiles, which define the time-variatin f many parameters input t the Apache and MacrFl prgrams. Prfiles are als accessed by the Template Manager. Please refer t the APpr User Guide fr infrmatin n using the APpr utility. 4.5 Query Edit r view the attributes f a single selected bject. Here, nly an pening may be interrgated using this ptin. 4.6 MacrFl Opening Types Database Manager VE 6.5 MacrFl 16
Run the MacrFl Opening Types prgram. This prgram is used t create and edit pening types, which are assigned t penings in the MacrFl view. 4.7 Mdel Viewer Display a perspective view f the mdel. Please refer t the MdelIT User Guide fr further infrmatin. VE 6.5 MacrFl 17