Use of Aerodynamic Databases for the Effective Estimation of Wind Effects in Main Wind-Force Resisting Systems: Application to Low Buildings.
Use of Aerodynamic Databases for the Effective
Estimation of Wind Effects in Main Wind-Force Resisting
Systems: Application to Low Buildings.
(590 K)
Whalen, T. M.; Simiu, E.; Harris, G.; Lin, J.; Surry, D.
Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics,
Vol. 77-78, 685-693, 1998.
Keywords:
aerodynamics; databases; wind effects; building
technology; standards; structural engineering; wind
loads
Abstract:
As a part of the ongoing National Institute of Standards
and Technology research on the development of a new
generation of standard provisions for wind loads, we
present results of a pilot project on the estimation of
wind effectsin low-rise building frames. We use records
of wind pressure time histories measured at a large
number of taps on the building surface in the boundary
layer wind tunnel of the University of Western Ontario.
Time histories of bending moments in a frame are
obtained by adding pressures at all taps tributary to
that frame multiplied by the respective tributary areas
and influence coefficients. The latter were obtained
from the frame designs provided by CECO Building
Systems. We compare results obtained by using the
pressure time history records with results based on ASCE
7 standard provisions. The comparison suggests that
provisions which use aerodynamic databases containing
the type of data described in this work can result in
designs that are significantly more risk-consistent as
well as both safer and more economical than designs
based on conventional standard provisions. We outline
future research on improved design methodologies made
possible by the proposed approach to the estimation of
wind effects. We note that the use of the proposed
methodologies is fully consistent with the ASCE 7
Standards insofar as these allow the use of wind-tunnel
data for estimating wind load effects. Finally, we note
that the proposed methodologies may be used for damage
assessment for insurance purposes.
