SEDL / STP / STP719-EB / STP27526S

Infrasonic Measurement of Building Air Leakage: A Progress Report

Card, WH
Professor, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.

Sallman, A
Graduate assistant and professor, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.

Graham, RW
Engineer, Harris Computer Systems Division, Harris Corp., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Drucker, EE
Graduate assistant and professor, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.

Pages: 16    Published: Jan 1980

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Abstract

This research compares a new infrasonic method with the conventional blower method for determining the composite effective size of all the air-leakage passages in a house or apartment. In the frequency range used (0.1 to 7 Hz) small buildings are characterized mainly by one acoustic capacitance and one nonlinear leakage resistance. Infrasonic apparatus comprising a motor-driven source having known output, a sensitive pressure pickup, and an electronic signal processor has been constructed and used to measure leakage from several apartments and a house. Under field conditions the results of the infrasonic and blower measurements agree within a factor of two or three. Since the infrasonic system requires no through-the-wall blower vent or pressure taps, it is easier to set up than a blower system.