Wind effects on tall buildings
Date
1974
Authors
Cermak, J. E. (Jack E.), author
Fluid Mechanics Program, Department of Civil Engineering, Colorado State University, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Wind interacts with earth-bound buildings to produce both static and dynamic effects on the building. These include stressing of the primary frame through over all action of wind pressures, local loading of cladding panels and glass lights, and oscillation of tall buildings at their natural frequency through the phenomena of vortex shedding and galloping. On the other hand, buildings can modify the wind and cause an unpleasant or dangerous environment for pedestrians. All of the foregoing effects increase in intensity as building heights increase and are increased by the distributions of turbulence and mean wind, geometry of the building and surrounding structures, upwind surface roughness and topography and local climatological factors. The development of special meteorological wind tunnels during the last ten years has made simulation of natural winds associated with pressure gradients on a synoptic scale possible. This capability has enabled wind effects on tall buildings to be obtained by direct measurement on small-scale physical models and provides a reliable source of data for the design of even taller buildings of the future. However, neither a method to obtain design data nor adequate design methods have been developed which will give assurance that a tall building will not be damaged seriously by intense small-scale atmospheric disturbances such as a tornado.
Description
CER73-74JEC-6.
CEP73-74JEC-6.
Includes bibliographical references.
CEP73-74JEC-6.
Includes bibliographical references.
Rights Access
Subject
Buildings -- Aerodynamics
Wind tunnel models