Assistance with CONTAM Inputs for Infiltration Rate Calculation

[Nicole Alejandra Zambrana Balanza]

Hi, everyone!

My name is Nicole, and I am currently conducting a research project focused on assessing the infiltration rates in multifamily residential buildings. As part of my simulations, I will use CONTAM to model airflow and evaluate infiltration parameters.

I am reaching out to seek your expertise regarding the appropriate configuration of input data in CONTAM, specifically for calculating the infiltration rate of an apartment unit. I would greatly appreciate any guidance you can provide on the following aspects:

1. Air pressure inputs – recommended values and considerations for urban environments.

2. Building envelope characteristics – how to best represent common leakages (e.g., windows, doors, walls).

3. Wind pressure and stack effect parameters – methods to accurately simulate their impact.

4. Schedule definitions – best practices for representing typical occupancy and ventilation scenarios.

If you have any reference materials, case studies, or example files that you could share, it would be immensely helpful. Additionally, I would be grateful for any tips on common challenges or pitfalls to avoid during the simulation process.
An additional information, I will perform field measurements in 20 samples to validate the simulation results. 

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance. I look forward to your insights.

Kind regards,

Nicole Zambrana
University of São Paulo

[Anders Bjork]

Hello Nicole,

Are you still needing help with this? I have a couple of ideas.

What will the "field measurements in 20 samples to validate the simulation results" look like?

Would you be collecting your own leakage data, or measuring the flow and pressure differentials between rooms?

Additionally, there are some resources and examples that could help to turn regional weather data into a pressure profile and stack effect parameters. Would you be modeling this leakage and completing the study in São Paulo? I believe that will create an elevation of 760m and a static pressure of 92,400 Pa.

Would you need to consider forced flow and air handling system components?

Anders
Thunderhead Engineering