Architectural Engineering Calculations

Discipline

Type Description

Acoustic
Architecture
Architecture
Architecture
Electrical
HVAC
HVAC
HVAC
HVAC
Lighting
Plumbing
Properties
Properties
Structure
Structure
Structure
Workbook
Workbook
Workbook

Load
Load
Load
Load
Load
Sizing
Load
Load
Sizing
Load
Load

Load
Stress
Load

Reverberation Time
Building Gross & $ from Net
Building Occupancy or Size Estimate
Building Size
Building Watts Required Estimate
Air Flow Required & Duct Sizing
Basic Wall Conduction
Infiltration and Ventilation Heat Load
Seasonal Fuel Usage and Cost
Lighting Fixture Requirements
Building Water Requirements
Conversion Factors
Material Properties
Floor Load Estimates
Simple Beam - Stress & Deflection
Tributary Area Load Estimate
Contributors
Future Work
Revision History

Web

Ref:

MC Squared Ching p228-232

Arizona State
Butler 58-59
Ching 74-79
Online Calc Ching 117-127
Ching 117-127

Ching 142-150
Butler 584

Ching 238-245
Ching 238-245
Ching 238-245

By
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM

This spreadsheet gives a number of basic Architectural Engineering (AE) calculations to allow initial quick estimates of loads and sizes for some
of the major systems. It is a work in progress and will be updated and corrected. It is not exact and should not be used for a building after initial
estimates. Use the professional-level programs for that purpose.
The Calculation column shows how the cell was calcuated using named variables - it should help you understand the logic. In most cases it's just
the application of basic math and physics although a few formulae are empirically derived. The hard part is often the units - which are carefully
shown.
Be sure to look at the "comments" - usually in the "input" column or the description column on this page - you see them by putting the cursor
over any cell that has a small red triangle in the upper right corner. They will explain meanings and give typical values.
- To use it click on the hyperlink to the calculation you're interested in (you may make suggestions for future ones on the "FutureWork" sheet).
- In each worksheet the white boxes are ones you're intended to modify - "reasonable" default values are provided.
- You may "unprotect" the workbook and modify anything you wish.
- The "Return to Index" button will bring you back to this sheet.
- Note the "grouping" indicators at the top of each sheet. By clicking on the "1" or the horizontal line you may hide the calculations - probably
better for printing.
Users are urged to make corrections and additions and send the revised sheet back to J. Mitchell.

282324462.xls - Index - Printed 09/01/2015 04:17:36 - p.1 of 18

Architecture Calculations
Gross Area & Cost from Net

Function Breakdown
Allocation Offices

Input
Allocation Offices
Allocation Meeting Room
Allocation Storage
Allocation Eating Area
Allocation Lobby
Allocation Work Area
Allocation Athletic Area
Allocation Mechanical Electrical
Circulation & Structure Factor
Building Cost Per SF
Named Areas Total
Circulation & Structure
Building Gross Area
Building Cost
CircStr Percent of Gross
Building Efficiency

Value

Calculation

Allocation Meeting Room

4,000
2,600
1,500
1,250
400
6,000
1,200
1,500
32%
130 $/SF

Units
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF

18,450
5,904
24,354
3,200,000
24%
76%

User Comment

#VALUE!
Allocation Storage
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
Allocation Eating
Area
#VALUE!
Allocation Lobby
#VALUE!
Allocation Work#VALUE!
Area
#VALUE!
Allocation Athletic Area
#VALUE!
Allocation Mechanical
Electrical

SF
SF
SF
$

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

When designing a building a critical number is the building size because it affects both the building cost and issues like
siting the building and zoning coverage requirements. While this number can be determined a number of ways one
"usual" starting point is to add up the individual areas for each "function" that must happen in the building - this
produces the "Named Areas Total". The calculation shown takes some typical functions (be sure to check the comments)
then shows how to determine the Building Gross Area, and thus the cost.

Building Gross Size - Measured

Input
Length Floor 1
Width Floor 1
Height to Next Floor 1
Length Floor 2
Width Floor 2
Height to Next Floor 2
Length Floor 3
Width Floor 3
Height to Next Floor 3
Length Floor 4
Width Floor 4
Height to Next Floor 4

Value
80.0
60.0
11.0
80.0
60.0
11.0
80.0
60.0
11.0
80.0
60.0
11.0

Area Floor 1
Area Floor 2
Area Floor 3
Area Floor 4
Total Area
Volume Floor 1
Volume Floor 2
Volume Floor 3
Volume Floor 4
Total Volume

Units
Ft
Ft
Ft
Ft
Ft
Ft
Ft
Ft
Ft
Ft
Ft
Ft

4,800
4,800
4,800
4,800
19,200

SF
SF
SF
SF
SF

52,800
52,800
52,800
52,800
211,200

CF
CF
CF
CF
CF

Calculation

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

Calculating the total Area and Volume is straightforward. You can add as many more floors or pieces of floor as you
wish.
The "Height to Next Floor" is often called the "Floor-to-Floor" height.

Building Occupancy Estimate

Input

Value

Units

Calculation

282324462.xls - Architecture - Printed 09/01/2015 04:17:41 - p.2 of 18

OC Building Type
Oc SF per Occupant
Oc Building Gross Area
Oc Number of Occupants
Oc Known Occupants
Oc Building Size from Occupants

Office
160 SF/Occ
19,200 SF
120 Occupants

#VALUE!

120 Occupants
19,200 SF

#VALUE!

Knowing how many people will be in a building is important in many other calculations (HVAC and Plumbing
particularly). This calculation assumes that you know the building gross size and want to know how many people it will
accommodate for a particular use.
You can go the other direction equally well.

282324462.xls - Architecture - Printed 09/01/2015 04:17:55 - p.3 of 18

Structures Calculations
Floor Load Estimates
Input
Value
Units
Space Width
20 Ft
Space Length
35 Ft
Space Floor to Floor
12 Ft
Space Floor Thickness
8 Inches
Max Furniture Weight
2,400 Lb
Max Floor Equipment Weight
2,400 Lb
Max People Weight
4,000 Lb
Built-In Cabinet Weight
8,000 Lb
Hung Equipment Weight
1,600 Lb
Floor Weight per CF
150 Lb/CF
Ceiling Weight per SF
3 Lb/SF
Partition Weight per SF Vertical Face
5 Lb/SFV
Space Area
Space Volume
Space Perimeter
Partition Area
Built-In Equipment Weight
Floor Assembly Weight
Ceiling Assembly Weight
Partition Weight
Live Load Weight
Dead Load Weight
Total Load
PSF Live Load
PSF Dead Load
PSF Total Load
Total Load/CF

700
8,400
110
1,320
9,600
70,000
2,100
6,600
8,800
88,300
97,100
13
126
139
12

User Comment

Calculation

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

SF
CF
LF
SF
Lb
Lb
Lb
Lb
Lb
Lb
Lb
Lb/SF
Lb/SF
Lb/SF
Lb/CF

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

The most basic task in structural analysis is to find out how much load is applied to a building. This calculates the "gravity" load for a given area typically a building "bay" bounded by four columns or a "tributary area" spanning from the midpoint of one bay to the midpoint of the next and the
full length of the bay.
A basic distinction is between "live" and "dead" load. It's much easier to predict the "dead" than the live load because the designer has control over
it whereas they have to guess at the worst case for live load.
This calculation is a good approximation - but should not be used for a real design. It does NOT take into account factors of safety, code
requirements and other important ingredients. Take the structures class first.
Note how very much bigger the dead load is than the live load in most cases.

Tributary Area Load Estimates

Input
Value
Trib Length Beam
Trib Width to Next Beam on Right
Trib Width to Next Beam on Left
Trib Floor Thickness Estimated
Trib Beam Width Estimated
Trib Beam Depth Estimated
Trib Uniform Floor Live Load
Trib Wall Height over Beam
Trib Wall Material Thickness over Bea
Trib Density Floor Material
Trib Density Wall Material

24
8
10
6
10
18
50
11.5
8.5
135
90

Trib Width Tributary Area

Trib Floor Slab Volume

9 Ft
108 CF

#VALUE!
#VALUE!

195.5 CF

#VALUE!

30 CF

#VALUE!

Trib Wall Volume Resting on Beam

Trib Beam Volume
Trib Floor Slab Load per Foot Beam
Trib Beam Load per foot

Units
Ft
Ft
Ft
in
in
in
Lb/SF
Ft
In
Lb/CF
Lb/CF

608 Lbs/LF
169 Lbs/LF

Calculation

#VALUE!

#VALUE!
#VALUE!

282324462.xls - Structure - Printed 09/01/2015 04:17:58 - p.4 of 18

Trib Wall Over Beam Load per foot

Trib Live Load per foot
Trib Subtotal Dead Load per foot

730 Lbs/LF

#VALUE!

450 Lbs/LF
1,510 Lbs/LF

#VALUE!
#VALUE!

Trib Total Dead Load for Beam

Trib Total Live Load for Beam
Trib Total Load for Beam

36,200 Lbs
10,800 Lbs
47,000 Lbs

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

Trib Symmetrical Reaction Load

23,500 Lbs

#VALUE!

When designing a beam (or girder) it's essential to find how much load is applied to it. To do so one must define the "tributary area" that the beam
is supporting. A conservative approach (neglecting the fact that girders at the end may carry some load too) defines the tributary area as the length
of the beam times the tributary width. The tributary width is best estimated as the distance from halfway to the beam on the left TO halfway to the
beam on the right. (Note that where the widths are constant then this is just the distance from one beam to the next - edges are where life usually
gets more interesting.)
In this case we've also assumed a wall resting on the beam - a fairly typical situation in buildings, especially for fire separation.
We've shown the load per linear foot (Lbs/LF) as well as total loads because that is often used in beam calculations.
This calculation is a good approximation - but should not be used for a real design. It does NOT take into account factors of safety, code
requirements and other important ingredients. Take the structures class first.
Note how very much bigger the dead load is than the live load in most cases.

Beam Stress & Deflection

Input
Case
Bm Beam Shape
Beam Geometry
Bm Beam Depth -"d"
Bm Flange thickness
Bm Flange width
Bm Web Thickness
Material Properties
Bm Modulus of Elasticity
Bm Density
Bm Max Tension/Compression Stress
Loading Geometry
Bm Beam Length - "L"
Bm Beam Spacing - "s"
Bm Point Load1 X coord. - "Px1"
Bm Point Load2 X coord.. - "Px2"
Live Loading
Bm Uniform Load - "w"
Bm Point Load 1 - "P1"
Bm Point Load 2 - "P2"
Bm X Position Evaluated - "x"
Beam Unit Properties - Calculated
Bm Web Height (calc)
Bm Area

Bm Moment of Inertia

Bm Weight/Foot of Length
Bm Section Modulus
Beam Total Properties
Bm Beam Weight
Bm Live Load Carried
Bm Total Load Carried
Bm Total Load/Ft
Moments
Bm Moment UDL

Value

Units

Calculation

B
20.00
0.00
2.63
0.00

inches
inches
inches
inches

1,600,000 psi
32 lbs/ft3
1,800 psi
20.00
18.00
5.00
10.00

ft
in
ft
ft

80
500
500
10.00

lb/SF
lb
lb
ft

20.00 inches

#VALUE!

53 in2

#VALUE!

1,750 in4

#VALUE!

12 lbs/linear-ft
175 in3
233
2,400
2,633
132

Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs/Ft

6,583 ft-lbs

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

282324462.xls - Structure - Printed 09/01/2015 04:18:11 - p.5 of 18

Bm Moment P1

1,250 ft-lbs

#VALUE!

Bm Moment P2

2,500 ft-lbs

#VALUE!

124,000 In-lbs

#VALUE!

Bm Total Moment at X
Stress Calculation
Bm Maximum Fiber Stress at X
Bm Less Than Allowable

709 psi
OK

#VALUE!
#VALUE!

Deflection Calculations
Bm Deflection due to UDL

0.169 in

#VALUE!

Bm Deflection due to P1

0.035 in

#VALUE!

Bm Deflection due to P2

0.051 in

#VALUE!

Bm Deflection Total

0.256 in

#VALUE!

Bm Deflection Ratio

937 :1

#VALUE!

BEAM CALCULATIONS
This document is prepared as a starting point for beam design It is important to realize that it is simplified for the sake of education. In particular:
- shear is ignored
- buckling is ignored
- all stresses are assumed in the plane of symmetry.
- the beam is assumed to be simply supported
- factors of safety are built into the allowable stress.
Warning: The calculation is only for point "x" along the beam. You must explore multiple "x" values to determine the 'worst case'. For
symettrically loaded beams that is at the midpoint of the span, but for unsymettrical situations you must find the 'worst case' location. Excel's "solver"
can be very handy for this.
Reference: The specific terms used in this spreadsheet were derived from Timoshenko & Young - Elements of strength of Materials - 4th Edition
(1962).
A more recent reference (used in Drexel's courses) is: Gere & Timoshenko - Mechanics of Materials. - 3rd Edition 1990. The relevant chapter in that
book for fuller understanding of the equations used here is: Chapters 5 (Stresses) & 7 (Deflections).

282324462.xls - Structure - Printed 09/01/2015 04:18:25 - p.6 of 18

HVAC Calculations
Conductive Heat Transfer Through a Wall & Roof
Input
Temperature Outside
Temperature Inside
Cd Building Length
Cd Building Wdith
Cd Building Number of Floors
Cd Floor-to-Floor Height
Cd Window Spacing along Wall
Single Window Ht
Single Window Width
Number of Windows

Value
14
68
40
30
3
11
12
6
5
35

Insulation Thickness
R-Value Insulation
R-Value Construction and Air Gaps
R-Value Window

Wall Length
Wall Height
Delta-T
Area Wall with Windows
Area Windows
Area Roof
Cd Building Area
Area Wall & Roof without Windows
R-Insulation
R-Wall &Roof
Heat Flow Q Wall & Roof
Heat Flow Q Windows
Total Conductive Heat Flow

2.5
6
2
2

140
33
-54
4,620
1,050
1,200
3,600
4,770
15
17
-15,152
-28,350
-43,502
-12,750

Units
DegF
DegF
Ft
Ft

Calculation

User Comment

Ft
Ft
Ft
Ft
#VALUE!

in
SF-DegF-Hr/BTU-in
SF-DegF-Hr/BTU-in
SF-DegF-Hr/BTU-in

#VALUE!

Ft
Ft
DegF
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF-DegF-Hr/BTU
SF-DegF-Hr/BTU
BTU/Hr
BTU/Hr
BTU/Hr
Watts

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

In HVAC, as in structures, the most basic requirement is to calculate the "Loads" on a system. For HVAC the most important of these is
the amount of Heat (Q) that the system must add to (heating) or remove from (cooling) a space.
In a real building you must take account of not only the heat flow through the windows, but also the air leakage and the amounts of heat
added by the appliances, people and sunlight coming into the room. Once you understand the principles this is best done with a modeling
program like Energy-10 or the commercial programs by Carrier or Trane.
Nonetheless this approximation is quite good, especially for a heating situation - in the middle of winter with no one in the building at
night.

Infiltration & Ventilation Heat Load

Input
Inf T Outside
Inf T Inside
Inf Building Area
Inf Floor Height Average
Inf Infiltration Air Changes / Hour
Inf People In Building
Inf CFM per Person
Inf Delta T
Inf Building Volume
Inf Infiltration CF per Hour
Inf Ventilation per Hour
Inf Total Air Per Hour
Inf Heat Lost to Air Movement

Value
14
68
3,600
11
1.5
9
20
-54
39,600
59,400
10,800
70,200
#NAME?

Units
DegF
DegF
SF
Ft
Air Change/Hour

Calculation
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

CFM/person
DegF
CF
CF/Hr
CF/Hr
CF/Hr
BTU/Hr

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

282324462.xls - HVAC - Printed 09/01/2015 04:18:36 - p.7 of 18

Heat is lost through movement of air in and out of a building, both intentional (ventilation) and unintentional (infilitration). When
calculating the heating or cooling load one must include this heat loss or gain as well.
This estimate is crude, but gives an approximation, better for small buildings than large ones, but a reasonable start for both.
Note that the defaults tie this calculation to the conductive loss calculation above, but you can change it to suit your own needs.

-68234.4

Duct Sizing to Transfer Required Heat

Input
QNeed
TDuct
TRoom
Air Velocity In Duct
AspectRatio

Value
#NAME?
120
68
1,200
1.5

Units
BTU/hr
DegF
DegF
fpm

DeltaT Delivery
Coeff - BTU per CFM Deg
Air Flow CFM
Area Needed
DiamRound
Rectangle ShortSide

52
#NAME?
#NAME?
#NAME?
#NAME?
#NAME?

Rectangle LongSide
AreaRect

#NAME? in
#NAME? in2

Calculation
#VALUE!

DegF
BTU/(CFM Hr DegF)
CFM
in2
in
in

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

Once you know how much heat is required to be transferred you want to know how big the duct is that carries the air (the usual fluid)
carrying the heat. This is a straightforward calculation that uses the velocity, density, and specific heat of the air to determine how much
must flow to carry the required amount of heat. Once you know how much (CFM), the velocity then allows you to calculate the size of the
duct necessary to conduct it.
Note that the velocities in ducts are limited by two things - the noise the air makes in the duct and the friction of the air in the duct - the
slower the flow the less energy is lost in friction. In practical terms, that limits low velocity ducts to about 1,200FPM - which is about13
MPH. High velocity ducts operate about 3,000FPM (34MPH), but require special construction and more fan energy.
Note that the defaults tie this calculation to the conductive loss calculation above and the ventilation/infiltration calculation, but you can
change it to suit your own needs.

Seasonal Fuel Usage and Cost

Input
HDd Building Area
HDd T Interior
HDd T Exterior Min
HDd Max Hourly Building Heat Transfer
HDd DDhAnnual
Fuel Efficiencies
HDd Oil Efficiency
HDd Gas Efficiency
HDd Elect Resistance Efficiency
HDd Heat Pump Coefficient
Fuel Prices
HDd Cost Oil Per Gallon
HDd Cost Gas per CCF
HDd Cost Elect per KWH
HDd Building Constant
HDd Season Heat Transfer
HDd Season Heat Transfer Per Sq Ft
Fuel Consumption
Hdd Gallons Oil
HDd CCFGas
HDd KW Resistance

Value
1,200
68
5
19,288
3,749

Units
SF
Deg
Deg
BTU/Hr
Deg-Day

Calculation

80%
85%
100%
262%
$
$
$

1.10 $/Gal
0.88 $/CCF
0.130 $/KWH
306 BTU/Hr-deg

#VALUE!

27,532,656 BTU/Yr
22,944 BTU/SF-Season

#VALUE!
#VALUE!

240 Gallons

#VALUE!

310 CCF

#VALUE!

8,070 KWH

#VALUE!

282324462.xls - HVAC - Printed 09/01/2015 04:18:49 - p.8 of 18

HDd KW Heat Pump

Fuel Consumption Per SF
Hdd Gallons Oil Per SF
HDd CCFGas Per SF
HDd KW Resistance Per SF
HDd KW Heat Pump Per SF
Season Cost
HDd Oil Season Cost
HDd Gas Season Cost
HDd Elect Resistance Season Cost
HDd Elect Heat Pump Season Cost
Season Cost Per SF
HDd Oil Season Cost per SF
HDd Gas Season Cost per SF
HDd Elect Resistance Season Cost per SF
HDd Elect Heat Pump Season Cost per SF

3,080 KWH

#VALUE!

0.20
0.26
6.73
2.57

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

$
$
$
$

264
273
1,053
402

$
$
$
$

0.22
0.23
0.88
0.33

Gallons/SF-Season
CCF/SF-Season
KWH/SF-Season
KWH/SF-Season

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
$/SF
$/SF
$/SF
$/SF

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

When developing an HVAC system the designer is interested in two things.

- How big does the equipment have to be to take care of the worst case?
- How much is it going to cost to operate for the year (or season of heating or cooling)?
The worst case situation is estimated by calculating the loads on the house.
- For heating it is the "conduction load" of heat lost through walls, windows, roof and to a small extent the floor. One must include as
well the "infiltration load" - the heat necessary to warm air that enters from the outside either through intended ventilation or through
cracks.
- For cooling it is the "conduction load" plus the solar energy, plus the infiltration, plus the heat from people, equipment and lights.
The "right" way to calculate the energy consumption is by a simulation using standard weather on an hour-by-hour basis. This requires a
complex program
For small buildings the Degree-Day method uses the Degree-Day number produced by the weather service and the "worst case"
calculation the designer has already performed to estimate the operating costs.
The weather bureau publishes both heating degree-day records and cooling degree day records. Both can be used to calculate the energy
cost for the heating and cooling season respectively.

282324462.xls - HVAC - Printed 09/01/2015 04:19:03 - p.9 of 18

Lighting Calculations
Lighting Fixture Requirements Estimate
Input
Lighting Calculations

Value

Units

Calculation

User Comment

Lt1 Room Area

500 SF
Lt1 Lighting Level
50 Footcandles
Lt1 Lamp Type
Semi-Direct Fluorescent
Lt1 Number of Lamps Per Luminaire
4
Lt1 Lumens Per Lamp
3,200 Manufacturer
Lt1 Watts Per Lamp
46 Manufacturer
Lt1 Watts Per Transformer
10 Average
Lt1 Maintenance Factor
0.67
Lt1 Coeff of Util
0.47 From Chart
Lt1 Efficacy - Lumens/Watt
Lt1 Area/Luminaire

70 Lumens/Watt
81 SF/Luminaire

#VALUE!
#VALUE!

Lt1 Number of Luminaires (rounded

Lt1 Watts/Luminaire

7
194 Watts/Lumina

#VALUE!
#VALUE!

Lt1 Watt/SF

2.7 Watts/SF

#VALUE!
#VALUE!

Calculating the exact number of fixtures is a complex process best accomplished with a method called the "Zonal Cavity Method" or
even better with a simulation program. Nonetheless it's possible to get an approximation at the beginning of a project using a cruder
calculation such as the one given here.
Note that in the lighting world
A "fixture" is what the layperson would call a lamp - it's the device that holds the lamps.
A "lamp" is what the layperson would call a bulb - it's the device that actually produces the light.
Examples are given here for several different types of lamps The number of lamps possible is very great as is the number of different
fixtures. These are only representative.
Source Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings - 5th ed -P.760

282324462.xls - Lighting - Printed 09/01/2015 04:19:09 - p.10 of 18

Electrical Calculations
Estimating Building Watts Required
User Comment

Input
Value
Lighting - Area Requiring "Service"
2,000
Lighting - Area Requiring Standard
10,000
Lighting - Area Requiring "Intense"
2,000
Lighting - Area Requring "Spotlight"
1,000
Appliances - Area Requiring Minimal
500
Appliances - Area Requiring Residential
300
Appliances - Area Requiring Office
15,000
Appliances - Area Requiring Intense
1,000
HVAC - Area Requiring Ventilation Only
1,000
HVAC - Area Requiring Heating Only - NonElectric Hea
1,000
HVAC - Area Requiring Full Conditioning
15,000
Lighting Watts/SF Service
0.5
Lighting Watts/SF Standard
1.25
Lighting Watts/SF Intense
2
Lighting Watts/SF Spotlight
4
Appliances Watts/SF Minimal
1
Appliances Watts/SF Residential
2.5
Appliances Watts/SF Office
5
Appliances Watts/SF Intense
15
HVAC Watts/SF Ventilation Only
0.4
HVAC Watts/SF Heating Only - NonElectric Heat
0.6
HVAC Watts/SF Full Conditioning
1.7

Units
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF
WSF
WSF
WSF
WSF
WSF
WSF
WSF
WSF
WSF
WSF
WSF

Lighting - Subtotal Area

Appliances - Subtotal Area
HVAC - Subtotal Area
Max Area - Use for PSF

15,000
16,800
17,000
17,000

SF
SF
SF
SF

Lighting - Service Watts

Lighting - Standard Watts
Lighting - "Intense" Watts
Lighting - Area Requring "Spotlight" Watts
Appliances - Minimal Watts
Appliances - Residential Watts
Appliances - Office Watts
Appliances - Intense Watts
HVAC - Ventilation Only Watts

1,000
12,500
4,000
4,000
250
750
75,000
15,000
400

Watts
Watts
Watts
Watts
Watts
Watts
Watts
Watts
Watts

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

600 Watts

#VALUE!

25,500 Watts

#VALUE!

HVAC - Heating Only - NonElectric Heat Watts

HVAC - Full Conditioning Watts
Subtotal - Lighting Watts
Subtotal - Appliance Watts
Subtotal - HVAC Watts
Total Estimated Watts
Lighting WSF Average
Appliance WSF Average
HVAC WSF Average
Overall WSF Average

21,500
91,000
26,500
139,000

Watts
Watts
Watts
Watts

1.3
5.4
1.6
8.2

WSF
WSF
WSF
WSF

Calculation
Power Use In Building

Lighting WSF Average

Appliance WSF Average
HVAC WSF Average

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

This form is somewhat more detailed than is perhaps necessary, but it gives a reasonable sense of the variable loads for different
conditions and allows a rapid overall estimate.
To use it all you need to do is put in the SF for each of your uses.
You do NOT need to change the Watt/SF for each use, but they're left available if you have better information.
Note that normally the Area totals should be identical, but there may be some situations where differing is OK. I picked the
maximum as the most reasonable for calculating overall WSF numbers.
Many building loads are quoted in KiloWatts (KW) - Just divide by 1,000 to determine the KW
The transformer for a building is usually in KVA - which is close to the total KW. It is usually sized with a growth factor of 20% or
more.

282324462.xls - Electrical - Printed 09/01/2015 04:19:17 - p.11 of 18

Plumbing Calculations
Building Water Requirements
Office
188
15
0.09
94
0

Wr Average Water Demand

2,880 Gals/Day

#VALUE!

17 Gals/Min

#VALUE!

Wr Peak Water Demand

Units

User Comment

Input
Value
Wr Building Type
Wr Number Occupants
Wr Average Demand/Occupant
Wr Peak Water Demand/Occupant
Wr Summer Design Temp for Location
Wr Special Requirements Average
Wr Special Requirements Peak

Calculation

Occupants
Gals/Day-Occ
Gals/Min-Occ
DegF
Gals/Day
Gals/Min

One of the first tasks in defining a plumbing system is to determine the overall requirements, both on average and at
a peak time. This is particularly important because one must check the service available to the building - either a
water "main" or a well. If these are not sufficient for the need then there is likely to be significant additional expense
to provide the necessary water.
- If the average daily Demand is greater than the supply then a new "main" or well must be provided.
- If the peak demand is greater than the "main" or well can supply, but the daily average is adequate, then a storage
system will be necessary.

282324462.xls - Plumbing - Printed 09/01/2015 04:19:30 - p.12 of 18

Acoustic Calculations
Reverberation of Space
Input
Room Length Acoustic
Room Width Acoustic
Room Height Acoustic
Absorption Wall Front
Absorption Wall Sides
Absorption Wall Rear
Absorption Floor & Seats
Absorption Ceiling
Volume of room Acoustic
Area Wall Front Acoustic
Area Wall Rear Acoustic
Area Wall Sides Acoustic
Area Ceiling Acoustic
Area Floor Acoustic
Absorption Front Sabins
Absorption Rear Sabins
Absorption Sides Sabins
Absorption Floor and Seats Sabins
Absorption Ceiling Sabins
Total Absorption Sabins
Reverberation Time
Suited for Music or Speech

Value

Units
150 Ft
80 Ft
50 Ft
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.9
0.1

600,000
4,000
4,000
15,000
12,000
12,000
400
400
1,500
10,800
1,200
14,300
2.1
Music

Calculation

CF
SF
SF
SF
SF
SF
Sabins
Sabins
Sabins
Sabins
Sabins
Sabins
secs

User Comment

#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!
#VALUE!

Reverberation is the time for a sound (e.g. a hand clapping is a good test) to decrease by 60 decibels.
The reverberation time of larger spaces is an important characteristic because it strongly influences the type of use for which space is
suited. Spaces in which understanding speech is important (a large classroom for instance) want minimal reverberation because it will
confuse the audience's comprehension. For much music, on the other hand, a significant reverberation time (here defined as 1.2
seconds) causes the music to blend together in a pleasing manner.
For rooms in which electronic amplification is used the reverberation is important, but the amplification can often address shortcomings
if well designed.
Remember that other factors determine the actual character of the sound - this is only an approximation. In particular the frequency
composition of the sound and the specific shape of the space are extremely important and are not addressed here.

282324462.xls - Acoustic - Printed 09/01/2015 04:19:35 - p.13 of 18

Conversion Factors Used in This Spreadsheet

Efunda = Excellent Reference
Category
Area
Power
Power
Time
Velocity

ConverstionConversio
SqIN/SF
144
BTU/Wt-Hr
3.412
Watt/HSP
745.7
Min/Hr
60
FPM/MPH 0.011364

Amt1
1
1
1
1
3000

Units1 Eq Result1
SF
=
144
Watt
=
3.412
HSP
=
745.7
Hr
=
60
FPM
=
34.1

Units1R
SqIn
BTU/Hr
Watts
Min
MPH

Amt2
144
3.412
1000
60
1

Units2
SqIn
BTU/Hr
Watts
Min
MPH

Eq Result2 Units2R
=
1 SF Square Foot
=
1 Watts
=
1.34 Hsp
=
1 Hr
=
88 FMP Feet Per Minute

282324462.xls - ConversionFactors - Printed 09/01/2015 04:19:42 - p.14 of 18

Properties Used in Spreadsheet

Efunda = Excellent Reference
Category
HVAC
HVAC
HVAC
HVAC

Property
Value
Air Density
0.075
Air Specific Heat
0.241
Oil Heat Value
141,000
Natural Gas Heat Value
1050

Units
Comment
Lb/CF
BTU/Lb
BTU/Gal Heat value of #2 oil - often used in houses
BTU/ft3 Heat value of Natural Gas

282324462.xls - Properties - Printed 09/01/2015 04:19:45 - p.15 of 18

Contributors
Initial
JEM

Name
James E. Mitchell

Email
James.Mitchell@CoE.Drexel.edu

Affiliation
Drexel University - Civil & Architectural Engineering

282324462.xls - Contributors - Printed 09/01/2015 04:19:46 - p.16 of 18

Future Work
Update:

9/28/2002

Here's where Additions to the calculations are proposed. When they're completed they'll be move to the main index page.
Users are urged to make corrections and additions and send the revised sheet back to J. Mitchell.

Discipline
Plumbing
Plumbing
Plumbing

Type Description
Load
Load
Load

Fixture Units
Hot Water Sizing
Pipe Sizing from Fixture Units

Web

Ref:

By

Ching 196-201
Ching 196-201
Ching 196-201

282324462.xls - FutureWork - Printed 09/01/2015 04:19:47 - p.17 of 18

Revision History
Lists the revisions to this workbook with the page affected and th

Date

Type

Description

Page

By

10/21/2002

Calculation

Corrected Error in Beam Calculation Wrong reference to beam length

Structure

JEM

10/21/2002

Format

Made formulas display on Structures Unprotected first sheet

Workbook

JEM

9/29/2002
9/29/2002
9/29/2002
9/29/2002
9/29/2002
9/29/2002
9/27/2002
9/15/2002

Addition
Addition
Addition
Addition
Calculation
Format
Format
Start

Future Work
Architecture
Revision History
HVAC
Plumbing
Workbook
Workbook
Workbook

JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM
JEM

Added Future Work

Added Occupancy Calculation
Added Revision History
Infiltration Calculation & Degree Day Calc
Added Plumbing Calculation
Revised Format to Make Printer Friendly
Applied background and standardized
format
Began Spreadsheet

282324462.xls - RevisionHistory - Printed 09/01/2015 04:19:48 - p.18 of 18