Local Wind Pressures for Rectangular Buildings in Turbulent Boundary Layers

Abstract

In this paper emphasis is mainly directed to external local wind pressures on isolated rectangularly-shaped bluff bodies immersed in deep turbulent boundary layer flow. A single rectangularly-shaped building in atmospheric boundary layer flow represents an idealized case. Especially in cities, buildings usually are surrounded by other structures, which may influence the local wind loads on buildings drastically. Nevertheless, knowledge of local wind loads on an isolated building, which may be considered as a reference case, is valuable for the design of cladding elements, glass panels and roof pavers. It is the objective of this paper, to provide this ‘reference case’ — information. Some relevant previous investigations which are concerned with local wind loads on rectangular buildings in turbulent boundary layers are mentioned. On the basis of own wind tunnel experiments properties and magnitudes of aerodynamic parameters (mean, rms, and peak pressure coefficients, spectral and probability densities) are discussed as a function of approach flow and building dimensions.