A parametric model for predicting wind-induced pressures on low-rise vertical surfaces in shielded environments

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a parametric mathematical model to predict wind-induced surface pressures on exterior vertical wall surfaces on a single model block in shielded environments. The first phase of the project focused on the development of a parametric model to determine the average pressure coefficients on exterior building surfaces shielded by a single windward obstruction model block. A pressure modification coefficient was defined to estimate the shielding effect based on the angular relationship between, the shielding block and the surface for which average pressure is to be computed, and the wind direction. The second phase involved expanding the scope of the prediction model to account for the various arrangement possibilities of the shielding blocks relative to the surfaces under investigation. The predicted pressure modification coefficient may be used to estimate average pressure coefficients taking into account the indoor velocity coefficients, surface porosity, window design, and interior partition types. The prediction model considers the effect of multiple shielding blocks, and the gaps between them on a vertical surface relative to wind direction. Wind tunnel verification of the model showed robust estimation of surface pressures in complex urban configurations.