Wind Pressures on Parapets of Flat Roofs

Abstract

A wind-tunnel study has been carried out to assess wind pressures acting on parapets, including their top surfaces. Local and area-averaged pressure coefficients were measured on parapets of flat-roof models with a length to height ratio (L/H) of 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1. The results were obtained for full-scale equivalent parapet heights of 1 and 2 m and for wind directions ranging from zero to 315°. The local wind load on the parapet was found to be approximately 30% larger at the windward corner of the building than at the midspan location. Maximum parapet loads for the low building model were approximately 30% larger than those for the cubical model. Parapet height did not significantly affect the peak local load on the parapet except in the corner region, where the inward load (toward the roof) for the 1 m parapet was 25% higher than that for the 2 m parapet.