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Ventilation Design Handbook on Animal Research Facilities Using Static Microisolators 
Figure 2.03 CFD Model of Cage Rack 
Located on the shelves of the racks were representations of the animal cages, shown in figure 
2.03. The dimensions of the cage were 0.27m (10.7”) x 0.16m (6.38”) x 0.21m (8.39”) high, 
which maintained the volume of the original cage that had sloped sides. The sides of the cage 
were modeled as thin plates, with the thickness and conductivity of the plates set to those of the 
physical cage polycarbonate. The water bottle and food normally found in a cage were modeled 
as a single block in order to reduce the computational overhead. The volume of the block was the 
same as that of the bottle and food combined. The bedding of the cage was included as a 
rectangular block of dimension 0.27m (10.7”) x 0.16m (6.38”) x 1.27e-2m (0.5”). 
The mice were modeled as a block of dimension 0.11m (4.25”) x 8.57e-2m (3.38”) x 0.22m 
(0.88”). This was the same representation as was used in the experimental cage wind tunnel tests 
(see section 4.1.1), and simulated the effect of ‘huddling’ by the mice. The surface temperature of 
the block was fixed at 30.0 °C (86.0 °F), which was agreed to be a typical mouse body surface 
temperature. 
