Peak pressure coefficient distribution around low-rise buildings

Abstract

The particular philosophy of the wind loads section in the new Swiss code of practice SIA 160 is presented. This code is based on a local peak dynamic pressure and this leads to several consequences in the definition of coefficients which takes into consideration the variation with height of the peak pressure, the reduction due to the size of the building and the dynamic effects. A new definition of peak pressure or force coefficients which represents the maximum load acting on a surface is introduced. The associated measurement techniques are presented. The values of this coefficient for low-rise buildings are compared with the mean pressure coefficients. It may be deduced that these peak pressure coefficients are less dependent on the shape of the building than the mean. It is also interesting to note that the averaging with respect to the surfaces has a smaller influence than the averaging with respect to time.