The influence of Helmholtz resonance on internal pressures in a low-rise building

Abstract

This paper deals with an investigation of the phenomenon of Helmholtz resonance under oblique wind flow, and an examination of the applicability of the quasi-steady approach to internal pressures in buildings with a dominant opening. Studies on a 1:50 scale model of the Texas Tech University (TTU) test building in a boundary layer simulation show that ‘Helmholtz resonance under oblique wind flow’ produces an extremely strong response in internal pressure fluctuations, in comparison with that obtained under normal onset flow. It is verified that ‘eddy dynamics over the opening’ rather than ‘freestream turbulence’ is responsible for the intense excitation at oblique flow angles, implying that even if the Helmholtz resonance frequency were to be in the tail of the freestream turbulence spectrum, severe excitation would still be possible.Experimental measurements of internal pressures for a range of opening situations also reveal that the quasi-steady approach is inapplicable in the prediction of peak internal pressures. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that while the provisions of the Australian/New Zealand wind loading code—AS/NZS1170.2:2002, which is based upon the quasi-steady method, is adequate as far as mean internal pressures are concerned, it however underpredicts peak internal pressures in some situations. In particular, for the range of situations studied, measurements indicated that peak pressures were up to 25% higher than the AS/NZS1170.2:2002 provisions, in the case of openings in the positive pressure and sidewall regions. It is also shown that for openings located in the sidewall region, peak internal pressures could be just as extremely positive as it can be negative. It is suggested that in the calculation of internal pressures, the AS/NZS1170.2:2002 provide for the use of local pressure factors K l, that are at present applied only to external pressure calculations. Secondly, the code should provide for internal pressure coefficients to be both negative and positive, when openings are located in sidewall regions. Finally, in order to account for the effects of additional fluctuations arising from Helmholtz resonance oscillations, the possibility of the use of an internal pressure factor K i should be explored.