Aerodynamic Edge Devices for Reduction of Wind Loads on Roofs

Abstract

Different from a conventional wisdom of damage risk mitigation by increasing structural resistance, an aerodynamic approach is to mitigate damage risk at the source by reducing the load generated by wind, the effectiveness of which is being demonstrated in this paper for roofs. Patented vortex suppressing devices designed to minimize roof uplift and scour generated by edge vortices were evaluated with full‐scale destructive tests on roofing materials. Significant reduction of uplift pressure loads was also verified with wind tunnel studies and full‐scale tests. This is a study for proof of concept for industrial applications, primarily in full‐scale with reallife materials and products, not yet a systematic investigation of the aerodynamic approach over a full range of parameters, such as upstream terrain and immediate surrounding effects, building dimensions and roof geometries etc. Nevertheless, the current aerodynamic designs being tested consistently outperform traditional edge shapes with big margins...