The Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of Texas at Austin was requested to undertake certain research in the field of high velocity air flow in air conditioning ducts. The request was prompted by the unsatisfactory performance of a dual duct, high velocity system installed in a building on the University Campus in Austin.

In compliance with this request the research problem was assigned to a mechanical engineering graduate student, as a thesis for his Master's degree. He investigated the flow characteristics, static pressure loss, and static regain in a duct system consisting of a 24 inch sheet metal main with several types and sizes of branches.