Design pressure coefficients for circular and elliptical plan structures with hyperbolic paraboloid roof

Abstract

Hyperbolic paraboloid shapes are often used for tensile roofing systems, as they allow covering large spans with a very low self weight. In addition, they can be used in combination with a variety of plan shapes. The aerodynamics, and thus the wind loading of buildings provided with an hyperbolic paraboloid roof is different from that of the same building provided with a different roof shape; previous studies have made this aspect evident for square and rectangular plan buildings, and the differences prove to be even larger in the case of circular and elliptical plans. This paper is focused on the latter two geometries. In particular, two different curvatures of the roof and two different heights of the buildings were tested in the wind tunnel. Envelopes of the experimental pressure coefficients have been obtained, giving rise to simplified load maps for use in design and possible Code implementation. Pressure coefficients on the lateral surfaces have also been measured, and are compared with reference values available for the same plan shape, but different roof geometry.