MacroFlo User Guide

IES Virtual Environment 6.5

Macroflo

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Contents
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 MacroFlo View ....................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Overview of MacroFlo View Interface Features .................................................................... 4
1.2.1 Virtual Environment Menu Bar ......................................................................................... 4
1.2.2 MacroFlo Specific Menu .................................................................................................... 4
1.2.3 MacroFlo Edit Toolbar ....................................................................................................... 4
1.2.4 Model Workspace.............................................................................................................. 5
1.2.5 Model View Toolbar .......................................................................................................... 5
1.2.6 Model Browser .................................................................................................................. 5
1.3 Common Tools for Model Viewing and Interrogation .......................................................... 6
2 Building Element Opening Type Data .................................................................................... 7
2.1 What are Building Elements and Opening Types? ................................................................ 7
2.2 The Opening Type Attribute for an Opening ......................................................................... 7
2.3 Changing the Opening Type .................................................................................................. 7
2.4 Selecting Openings for Opening Type Editing ....................................................................... 8
2.4.1 At Model Level ................................................................................................................... 8
2.4.2 At Space Level .................................................................................................................... 8
2.4.3 At Surface Level (opening mode) ...................................................................................... 8
2.5 Changing the Opening Type for Selected Openings .............................................................. 9
3 MacroFlo Opening Types ..................................................................................................... 10
3.1 What are Opening Types? ................................................................................................... 10
3.2 MacroFlo Opening Types Manager Interface ...................................................................... 11
3.2.1 Add................................................................................................................................... 11
3.2.2 Reference ID .................................................................................................................... 11
3.2.3 Description ...................................................................................................................... 11
3.2.4 Exposure Type ................................................................................................................. 11
3.2.5 Opening Category ............................................................................................................ 12
4 MacroFlo Toolbar ................................................................................................................ 16
4.1 Save ..................................................................................................................................... 16
4.2 Select Object........................................................................................................................ 16
4.3 Edit Selection Set Opening Types ........................................................................................ 16

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4.4 Apache Profile Database Manager ...................................................................................... 16
4.5 Query ................................................................................................................................... 16
4.6 MacroFlo Opening Types Database Manager ..................................................................... 16
4.7 Model Viewer ...................................................................................................................... 17

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1 Introduction
1.1 MacroFlo View
The MacroFlo view is positioned within the Virtual Environment’s Thermal category and
provides facilities for the preparation of input data for the MacroFlo bulk air flow simulation
program. The simulation program itself is run from within the Apache view.
MacroFlo is a program for analysing infiltration and natural ventilation in buildings. It uses a
zonal airflow model to calculate bulk air movement in and through the building, driven by wind
and buoyancy induced pressures. Details of the methods used in MacroFlo may be found in the
MacroFlo Calculation Methods manual. MacroFlo is invoked as an adjunct to Apache
Simulation, as described in the Apache User Guide.
The preparation of MacroFlo input data in the MacroFlo view consists of setting the air flow
characteristics of openings in the building (windows, doors and holes). This task is closely
analogous to the task of setting construction data for building elements in the Apache view.
The MacroFlo view is considerably simpler than the Apache view, however, since its sole
purpose is the setting of air flow data for openings.

1.2 Overview of MacroFlo View Interface Features

The MacroFlo view consists of the following interface features:

1.2.1 Virtual Environment Menu Bar

These menus provide functions used throughout the Virtual environment and also functions
specific to the MacroFlo view under the MacroFlo pull-down menu.

1.2.2 MacroFlo Specific Menu

This pull-down menu provides functions specific to the MacroFlo view.

1.2.3 MacroFlo Edit Toolbar

These icons provide a quick route to functions on the MacroFlo menu bar.

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1.2.4 Model Workspace
This displays the model geometry and provides a graphical means of selecting geometrical
objects.

1.2.5 Model View Toolbar

This provides functions for manipulating the view of the geometrical model.

1.2.6 Model Browser

This list of rooms, opening up to display surfaces and openings in those rooms, provides an
alternative way to view and select geometrical objects.

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1.3 Common Tools for Model Viewing and Interrogation
Before using the MacroFlo view you should familiarise yourself with the following tools, which
provide the means for navigating around the model to view and set room and building element
attributes:

 The Virtual Environment menu bar

 The model workspace
 The model browser
 The model view toolbar

In particular, you should be familiar with the following procedures described in the ModelIT
User Guide:

 Selecting a view of the model workspace using the following buttons on the model
view toolbar:
o Fit view
o Zoom window
o Zoom in
o Zoom out
o Pan
o Zoom previous
o Zoom next
o View axis (Plan, Right, Left, Front, Back, Axon.)
o Set axonometric rotation
o Rotate view
 Selecting a single room or a set of rooms by clicking in the model workspace.
 Selecting a single room or a set of rooms by clicking in the model browser.
 Panning and zooming the model image.
 Moving between the following model decomposition levels using the up and down
arrows on the view toolbar (or by double-clicking on a room or surface):
o Model level
o Space level (only surface mode applies in the MacroFlo view)
o Surface level (only opening mode applies in the MacroFlo view)
 Moving between model decomposition levels by clicking in the model browser.

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2 Building Element Opening Type Data
2.1 What are Building Elements and Opening Types?
A building element (often shortened to element) is a component of the building such as a wall,
ceiling, floor or window. For convenience, building elements are divided into categories such as
‘External wall’, ‘Internal glazing’, etc. In the MacroFlo view, only the categories ‘External
glazing’, ‘Internal glazing’ and ‘Door’ are important. Elements in these categories are called
openings. They may be assigned data allowing MacroFlo to simulate the passage of air through
them.
An opening type is a type of building element in the context of MacroFlo. It consists of a
specification of the element’s air flow characteristics and the way they vary with time. Opening
types are created and edited in the MacroFlo Opening Types dialog.
Another type of opening is a hole. Holes have fixed air flow characteristics and do not need to
be assigned air flow characteristics in the MacroFlo view.

2.2 The Opening Type Attribute for an Opening

Every opening has an attribute specifying its opening type. When the opening is created in
ModelIT, its opening type is set by the active MacroFlo Openings Template. This setting can
later be changed using tools provided in the MacroFlo view. The opening type attribute for an
element consists of a pointer to one of the opening types defined in APcdb. This means that if
the opening type data is edited in the MacroFlo Opening Types dialog, the change immediately
and automatically takes effect for all elements to which that opening type is assigned.

2.3 Changing the Opening Type

The mechanism for changing the opening types of openings is as follows:
1. Select an opening or a set of openings (this is called the selection set).
2. For the selected openings, replace all instances of one opening type with another
opening type.
The first operation may be done in various ways depending on the selection set required (see
Selecting openings for opening type editing).
For the second operation the usual method is to use the function ‘Edit selection set opening
types (see Changing the opening type for selected openings). An alternative method for
individual openings is to use the Query button – see Query.
The same mechanisms may be used to inspect the opening type of openings without changing
them.

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2.4 Selecting Openings for Opening Type Editing
There are several ways to select a set of openings in the MacroFlo view.

2.4.1 At Model Level

At the model level of decomposition you may select a single room or a set of rooms by clicking
in the model workspace or the model browser. For the purposes of opening type setting, this
selects all the openings contained in those rooms.

2.4.2 At Space Level

At the space level of decomposition (surface mode applies here) you may select a room
surface. For the purposes of opening type setting, this selects all the openings contained in
that surface.

2.4.3 At Surface Level (opening mode)

At the surface level of decomposition (opening mode applies here) you may select a single
opening or a set of openings.

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2.5 Changing the Opening Type for Selected Openings
After you have selected a set of openings you can change (or simply inspect) their opening
types by clicking on the icon ‘Edit selection set opening types’ on the Edit toolbar.

Edit selection set opening types dialogue (space level shown).

On the left of the dialogue a graphic of the selection set is shown. At model and space level,
the graphic uses the same view rotation as the active model window. It is usually easier to see
the various elements if you select an Axonometric view in the active model window before
using the ‘Edit selection set opening types’ tool.
If more than one element category is represented in the selection set it is first necessary to
select one of these categories from the list headed ‘Select category’. Any edits will be applied
only to elements (openings) in the selected category.
Under the heading ‘Opening Type’ you will see a list of the opening types currently assigned to
the selected openings. By clicking on each opening type in turn you will be able to identify the
openings where the opening type is used. These openings are highlighted on the graphic.
At any stage in this inspection process you may replace all the highlighted instances of the
selected opening type with another opening type. To do this, click on the desired replacement
opening type in the list headed ‘Possible replacement opening types’, and then click on
Replace.
If you need to create or modify opening types during this process you can open the MacroFlo
Opening Types dialog by clicking on the Opening Types button.

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3 MacroFlo Opening Types

3.1 What are Opening Types?

In the Virtual Environment, an opening is a window, door or hole that exists in the 3d
model geometry as created, for example, in ModelIT. These objects may also be used
to represent other types of openings 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.
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.

These openings are treated in MacroFlo as sharp edge orifices with a fixed discharge
coefficient of 0.62. The MacroFlo Opening Types dialog assist users in selecting an
appropriate equivalent area % for their opening type. The equivalent area is the area
of a sharp edged orifice through which air would pass at the same flow rate, under an
identical applied pressure difference, as the opening under consideration. Thus the
equivalent area % is the equivalent area of the opening type expressed as a
percentage of the opening drawn in the Model. Typically this will be less than 100% to
allow for immovable elements such as the frame and obstructing pivoting elements,
but can be greater than 100% to allow for scenarios whereby the fixed discharge
coefficient of 0.62 is not appropriate.

The pressure / flow characteristics of openings such as louvres and grilles are widely
available from manufacturers (coefficient of discharge or Cd factors); however these
properties are not readily available 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.

Holes represent a special category of opening with constant and un-modifiable air
flow characteristics, and are not associated with Opening Types.

MacroFlo Opening Types are attached to openings in the model using facilities
provided in the MacroFlo Application View.

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 3.2 MacroFlo Opening Types Manager Interface

3.2.1 Add
Add an opening type to the list. The initial properties of the new opening type will be copied
from the currently selected type.

3.2.2 Reference ID
An 8-character ID unique to the Opening Type. The Reference ID is constructed automatically
by the program from the Description.

3.2.3 Description
A verbal description of the Opening Type.

3.2.4 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

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 the Opening Type is to be used for internal openings only, or if the effects of wind are to be
ignored, select ‘Internal’.

3.2.5 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 Equivalent Area as a % of the gross opening
area as drawn in ModelIT.

Openable area and modeled 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.

3.2.5.1 Custom/Sharp Edge Orifice

Openable Area %
All openings in MacroFlo are treated as sharp edged orifices with a discharge coefficient of 0.62
during the simulation. For all of the other opening types the user inputs characteristics for their
opening (openable area, max pivoting angle etc.) which are then converted into an equivalent orifice
area by the opening types dialog. For the Custom/Sharp Edge Orifice opening type the openable
area % equals the equivalent area %. Thus, the user themselves enters the equivalent area as a
percentage of the gross area of the opening in the model.
When using the Custom/Sharp Edge Orifice category for windows and doors which open by pivoting,
this equivalent area should allow for immoveable elements, such as frames and areas which do not
pivot, and also the obstructing effect of the pivoting element which can result in additional
aerodynamic constriction in excess of that found in a sharp edged orifice. As such, the openable area
should typically be less than 100%.
Openable areas greater than 100% may be assigned in scenarios where the discharge coefficient of
0.62 may be not be appropriate. See the MacroFlo Calculation Methods User Guide for further
details.

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3.2.5.2 Pivoting Window/Door
Windows and doors which open by pivoting can be input using one of the appropriate pivoting
opening types, these are:
- Window / Door – Side Hung
- Window – Centre Hung
- Window – Top Hung
- Window – Btm hung
- Parallel hung windows / flaps

Openable Area %
The area of the pivoting element of the window/door, expressed as a percentage of the overall
plane area of the opening drawn in the model. The value should usually be less than 100%, to allow
for window frames and immoveable window elements.

Max Angle Open

The maximum angle of opening of the window/door in degrees. Lower values result in a reduced
area available for flow, and hence a smaller discharge coefficient and equivalent area %. Conversely,
higher values result in an increased area available for flow and hence a larger discharge coefficient
and equivalent area %. For windows which are restricted to opening angles below the minimum
angle available, the user must themselves calculate an appropriate equivalent area for their opening
and input this using the Custom/Sharp Edge Orifice opening category.

Opening Category Min Angle (°) Max Angle (°)

Window / Door – Side Hung 10 90
Window – Centre Hung 15 90
Window – Top Hung 10 90
Window – Btm hung 10 90
Parallel hung windows / flaps 15 90

Proportions
The ratio of window/door length to window/door height. This parameter affects the discharge
coefficient (Cv) for the window and as such altering it will alter the Equivalent orifice area %.

Equivalent Orifice Area %

The Equivalent Orifice Area % represents the actual sharp edge orifice area as a % of the gross
physical opening drawn in the model through which air will pass at an identical flow rate, under an
identical pressure difference, to the opening in question. This is calculated based on the values
chosen for the selected opening type.

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3.2.5.3 Sliding Windows and Doors
Windows and doors which open by sliding can be specified using one of the appropriate sliding
opening categories, these are:
- Window – Sash
- Sliding/ Roller Door

Openable Area %
The openable area for sliding elements is given by the cross sectional area presented by the opening
to air passing through it, expressed as a percentage of the gross opening area defined in the model
geometry. This value should usually be less than 100%, to allow for window frames and partial
opening.

Equivalent Orifice Area %

The Equivalent Orifice Area % represents the actual sharp edge orifice area as a % of the gross
physical opening drawn in the model through which air will pass at an identical flow rate, under an
identical pressure difference, to the opening in question. Sliding Windows and doors have a fixed
discharge coefficient of 0.65 representative of a fully open window and the equivalent orifice area
will be equal to the openable area adjusted to account for the difference between this discharge
coefficient and that for a sharp edge orifice.

3.2.5.4 Grilles, Louvres and Dampers

Grilles, Louvres and Dampers for which discharge coefficients are available can be specified by
choosing one of the appropriate opening categories, these are:
- Louvre
- Grille

Openable Area %
The openable area for these opening types is defined as the “Geometric Area” in EN12101, that is:

The area of the opening through a ventilator, measured in the plane defined by the surface of
the construction works, where it contacts the structure of the ventilator. No reduction will be
made for controls, louvers or other obstructions

This should be expressed as a percentage of the gross opening drawn in the model and will typically
equal 100%.

Coeff. Discharge
The coefficient of discharge for the opening given in the available product literature. The coefficient
of discharge is defined as:
The ratio of actual flow rate, measured under specified conditions, to the theoretical flow rate
through the ventilator

Coefficients of discharge between 0.0 and 0.6 can be specified.

Equivalent Orifice Area %

The Equivalent Orifice Area % represents the actual sharp edge orifice area as a % of the gross
physical opening drawn in the model through which air will pass at an identical flow rate, under an
identical pressure difference, to the opening in question. This will be based on the openable area %
defined for this opening type and adjusted to account for the difference between the discharge
coefficients for a sharp edge orifice (0.62) and the ventilator in question.

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3.2.5.5 Ducts
Ducts can be specified by specified by selecting one of the appropriate duct opening categories,
these are:
- Duct
- Acoustic Duct

Duct opening categories assigned to an opening take into account pressure drop at both ends of the
duct and also pressure losses along the length of the duct. Thus when physically drawing the duct in
the model, the duct opening type should only be assigned to one end of the duct as this accounts for
the pressure drop across the entire duct including losses at both ends.

Openable Area %
This is the gross face area of the duct opening expressed as a percentage of the opening drawn in
the model and will typically equal 100%.

Duct Length
This is the total length of the duct from inlet side to outlet side. Duct length can be any value from
1m to 10m.

Duct
Properties of the duct which influence the pressure drop across the duct are specified here. For the
opening category ‘duct’ the properties specified are the number of bends (assumed to be square
bends) and the grille free area %.
For the opening category ‘acoustic duct’ the properties specified are whether the duct is straight or
angled, the free area of the duct (expressed as a percentage), and the free area across the grille
(expressed as a percentage).

Equivalent Orifice Area %

The Equivalent Orifice Area % represents the actual sharp edge orifice area as a % of the gross
physical opening drawn in the model through which air will pass at an identical flow rate, under an
identical pressure difference as the duct in question. This will account for both in line losses through
the duct (dependent on duct type and length) and also end losses at both ends (dependent on grille
properties selected).

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4 MacroFlo Toolbar
The MacroFlo toolbar provides a quick route to some of the options on the MacroFlo pull-down
menus.

4.1 Save

Save the MacroFlo view data to file.

4.2 Select Object

Switch to ‘select object’ mode after operations in which a mouse click is interpreted in another
way. ‘Select object’ is currently the only mode used in the MacroFlo view.

4.3 Edit Selection Set Opening Types

Edit or view the opening type for the selected openings. See 1 Changing the opening type for
selected openings.

4.4 Apache Profile Database Manager

Run APpro, the Apache profile database manager. APpro is used to create and edit profiles,
which define the time-variation of many parameters input to the Apache and MacroFlo
programs. Profiles are also accessed by the Template Manager.

Please refer to the APpro User Guide for information on using the APpro utility.

4.5 Query

Edit or view the attributes of a single selected object. Here, only an opening may be
interrogated using this option.

4.6 MacroFlo Opening Types Database Manager

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 Run the MacroFlo Opening Types program. This program is used to create and edit opening
types, which are assigned to openings in the MacroFlo view.

4.7 Model Viewer

Display a perspective view of the model. Please refer to the ModelIT User Guide for further
information.

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