Model Settings

Airflow Network model settings are complex and generally for advanced users. Settings can be deemed as acceptable defaults and should only be adjusted after understanding the function of each.

It is generally acceptable to focus on Building Type nominations for models where pressure coefficients are calculated. Where pressure coefficients are provided via references to a building code or CFD modelling, Input must be nominated under Pressure Coefficient Method.

Network Control

Enable the Airflow Network by selecting 'enabled' from the dropdown menu.

Convergence Acceleration Limit

The Convergence Acceleration Limit determines the threshold for employing the Steffensen acceleration algorithm when the ratio of successive pressure corrections falls below values in the acceptable range of -1 to 1. The default setting is -0.5.

Max. Number of Iterations

The maximum number of iterations allowed in finding an Airflow Network solution. If the number of iterations at each simulation timestep is above the maximum number of iterations defined by this field, Speckel may not find a solution and a Severe error is issued and the program is aborted. The default value is 500.

Relative Airflow Convergence Tolerance

The Relative Airflow Convergence Tolerance determines convergence by comparing the absolute sum of network airflows to the sum of their magnitudes. The default value is $1.0 \times 10^{-4}$.

Absolute Airflow Convergence Tolerance

The solution is considered to have converged when the summation of the absolute value of all network airflows ($∣∑𝑚˙𝑖∣∣∑m˙i​∣$) is less than the value specified for this input field. The default value is $1.0 \times 10^{-6}$.

Initialisation Type

The Initialisation Type determines the method used for Airflow Network initialisation. Options include Linear Initialization Method and Zero Node Pressures, with the default being Zero Node Pressures.

External Node Temperature

Enables the external node temperature to be either dependent on node height or fixed at ground height. The default value is Dependent on Height.

Pressure Coefficient Method

Determines whether the wind pressure coefficients are input by the user or calculated.

Surface Average Calculation Method

Determines the wind pressure coefficients for the heat transfer at a surface as calculated or inputs.

Building Type

Affects the surface average calculation method wind pressure coefficients. Low Rise designates a rectangular building with a height that is both less than three times the width of its footprint and less than three times the length of the footprint. Conversely, High Rise denotes a rectangular building with a height that either exceeds three times the width of the footprint or exceeds three times the length of the footprint.

Ratio Building Width: Short vs Long Axis

Determines the shape of the building, adjusting the surface average calculation method wind pressure coefficients. Refers to the aspect ratio of a rectangular footprint. It's determined by dividing the width of the footprint along its short axis by the width along the long axis. If the footprint is square, this value is 1.0. The acceptable range for this input is greater than 0 to 1, with a default value of 1.