Air Duct Sizing - SI & Imperial Units

This spreadsheet template can be helpful when calculating dimensions and pressure loss in air duct systems.
- Equal Friction Method https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/equal-friction-method-d_1028.html
- Velocity Method https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/sizing-ducts-d_207.html

How to use:
1. Use "File" menu above to make your own editable copy of this document. You are free to use the copy as you want!
2. Select the table with the units you want to use - delete the lines with the other table
3. Make a simplified sketch for the system you want to calculate
4. Add the sections to the table - insert new lines by selecting similar lines - right click and copy the lines - right click and insert
5. Add volume flows for terminals - add sumarized formulas for the volume flows in the main sections
6. Add duct diameters
7. Add sumarized minor dynamic loss coefficients for each seaction
8. Add the pressure loss paths from node 0 to the end of all terminals - connect the pressure drops in each section - summarize
9. Evaluate the velocities and pressure losses for each section and for the total system to your criteria - modify duct sizes if nec
10. Add pressure loss in dampers to balance the system - the total pressure drop for all paths should be close

Project:
Date:

SI - Units
Air density: 1.2 (kg/m3)
Minor
Friction Minor
Friction Dynamic
Airflow Diameter Velocity Loss Dynamic
Section Length (m) Loss Loss
(m3/s) (mm) (m/s) Section Loss
(Pa/m) Section
(Pa) Coeff. (ξ)
(Pa)
0-1 20 3 700 7.8 0.88 18 2.6 95
1-2 20 1 475 5.6 0.77 15 1.3 25
1-3 10 2 800 4.0 0.21 2 1 10
3-4 10 1 500 5.1 0.59 6 2 31
3-5 15 1 500 5.1 0.59 9 2 31

Imperial - Units
Minor
Friction Minor
Friction Dynamic
Airflow Diameter Velocity Loss Dynamic
Section Length (ft) Loss (in Loss
(cfm) (in) (ft/min) Section (in Loss
H2O/ft) Section (in
H2O) Coeff. (ξ)
H2O)
0-1 66 6360 30 1296 0.000707 0.047 2.6 0.27
1-2 66 2120 20 972 0.000671 0.044 1.3 0.08
1-3 33 4240 30 864 0.000327 0.011 1 0.05
3-4 33 2120 20 972 0.000671 0.022 2 0.12
3-5 50 2120 20 972 0.000671 0.034 2 0.12
py as you want!

es - right click and insert the lines above/below where you want it - paste in the copied line

each section - summarize the pressure drops for each path

- modify duct sizes if necessary

Pressure
Total Pressure Pressure Pressure
Loss
Pressure Loss Path Loss Path Loss Path
Damper
Loss (Pa) 0-1-2 (Pa) 0-1-3-4 (Pa) 0-1-3 5 (Pa)
(Pa)

113 113 113 113

18 58 58
12 12 12
37 37
40 40
171 161 164

Pressure Total Pressure Pressure Pressure

Loss Pressure Loss Path Loss Path Loss Path
Damper (in Loss (in 0-1-2 (in 0-1-3-4 (in 0-1-3 5 (in
H2O) H2O) H2O) H2O) H2O)

0.32 0.32 0.32 0.32

0.09 0.21 0.21
0.06 0.06 0.06
0.14 0.14
0.15 0.15
0.53 0.52 0.53