Design recommendations for wind loading on buildings of intermediate height

Abstract

The National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) specifies wind loads for the design of tall (height, H > width, W) and low (H < 10 m, or H < W and H < 20 m) buildings. Since there are no specifications for the design of buildings of intermediate height, the present project has been undertaken to help define wind loads appropriate for the design of such buildings. The experimental study was carried out at the boundary layer wind tunnel of the Centre for Building Studies at Concordia University. The methodology used for this project consisted of testing five square building models (12, 25, 55, 100, and 145 m high) under conditions simulating strong turbulent wind blowing over an open country terrain exposure. Both the lowest and the tallest buildings were tested for validation purposes. Statistics of wind induced pressures were measured at several points and areas on the walls and the roof of all buildings for both normal and oblique wind directions. Experimental data show good agreement with previous studies of buildings of similar height tested under different environmental and proximity conditions. Results for the intermediate height buildings are presented in the paper. Wind pressures are compared with the NBCC specifications for low and tall buildings. Key words: building, code, design, loads, pressure, roof, wall, wind.