The International                        UPDATED 30th November 2011
Journal of Ventilation
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Calculations and Notes on the Quadratic and Power Law Equations for Modelling Infiltration

  Y.H. Chiu and D.W. Etheridge,
School of the Built Environment, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.

  Abstract

  Calculations using CFD are presented for adventitious openings in which the flow is not fully developed.  It is shown that the quadratic equation performs significantly better than the power law i.e. a recent claim that the power law equation is preferable to the quadratic equation under such circumstances is not supported.  Other recent claims that have been made to support the power law in preference to the quadratic are also examined and reasons are given as to why they are unfounded for conditions of typical, naturally driven air infiltration.

  Key words: air infiltration, CFD analysis, quadratic equation, power law equation.