IES <Virtual Environment> Live e-training

Trainee notes

MacroFlo (Version 6.0)

Introduction
In this session you will be shown how to define window and door opening characteristics for a
building model using MacroFlo, IES’s bulk airflow analysis tool (wind and buoyancy driven airflow).
The MacroFlo opening data can then be subsequently used in a dynamic thermal simulation by IES’s
ApacheSim thermal simulation software or Part L compliance software.

You will define window and door opening characteristics for a building model previously created using
ModelIT. You will have also set the site location and simulation weather data using the APlocate
utility.

The trainer will show you how to perform various functions as shown in the following pages, and
images are included to assist you in following the trainer as the session proceeds, and to act as a
memory jogger after the session.

For more detailed help you can use the Help menu within the specific IES application, and also you
can refer to the product manuals installed with the IES software.

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Opening a previously created <Virtual Environment> project
First you will be shown how to open a previously created project.

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Selecting the MacroFlo application
Next you will see how to use the application selector navigator to select the MacroFlo view from the
Thermal group of programs.

Creating the openings database

You will be shown how to access the MacroFlo openings database.

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Adding an opening type to the database
You will see how to add an opening type to the openings database and to set the opening
characteristics relevant to a window opening in the building model.

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Selection of exposure type
The selection of the appropriate exposure type will be explained.

Wind pressure coefficients

If you wish, you can review the wind pressure coefficients used by MacroFlo.

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Selection of Opening Category
The selection of the appropriate Opening Category will be explained.

Setting the openable area percentage

Next, we will set the openable area percentage

Degree of opening
You will be shown how to select a profile (created using the APpro utility) to vary the degree of
opening. As well as using simple modulating profiles, it is also possible to use formula profiles.

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This completes the data for the new opening type.

Creating another opening type

We will create another opening type in the openings database and we will set the opening
characteristics relevant to a rooflight opening in the building model.

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Assigning MacroFlo opening types to required openings in the model
Once the database has been saved, we will then apply the two new opening types to a selected
window and a selected rooflight in an unconditioned room (eg the Studio) in the model. We will do
this by moving down to the bottom level (Surface Level) of decomposition and selecting the
appropriate opening.

You will then be shown how to apply the required MacroFlo opening type to the selected opening in
the model.

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We will do this for one window and one rooflight

You have now finished creating opening types in MacroFlo and assigning them to openings in the
building model. You should now save your project.

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Running ApacheSim or the Part L compliance software with a MacroFlo link
You are now ready to perform a dynamic thermal simulation using IES’s ApacheSim thermal
simulation software or Part L compliance software from the Thermal group of programs. Enabling the
MacroFlo link will take into account the bulk airflow through openings in the building.

We will choose a results file name so as not to overwrite any previous simulation results we may
have for this project.

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