Question: Wind tunnel testing of building structures

[SAK123]

I am presently involved with the wind tunnel testing of a large air supported structure. Just recently I have completed an ASCE two-day continuing education course on wind loads on building structures. After the class was over, I approach the instructor and explained how a wind tunnel tests was planned on our air supported structure using pressure ports all over the structure surface. I further explained that these pressures recorded by the pressure ports were to be used as inputs into a finite element model to calculate the theoretical stresses induced from the wind loads. The instructor was surprised to hear this. He explained that typically the pressures determined by the pressure ports from a building model wind tunnel test are used to determine pressures of the building components and cladding (glass, etc..). Those pressures are not used, at least the way it was explained to me, used to determine the structural integrity of the building of the main wind force resistance system. I asked how does one determine the total lift, drag and overturning moments resulting from wind loading, in the instructor described including a load spline in the model to capture these overall effects.

My instructor had serious reservations about using the pressures obtained from a wind load test for calculation of stresses in the main force wind resistance system.

Does anyone have any experience with wind tunnel testing of building structures to confirm / or not confirm that the pressures obtained from a building model positioned in the wind tunnel are used for calculating loads on components and cladding?



Thanks.

 

[hokie66]

I am not an expert in wind tunnel testing, but have often used the results and recommendations. The results are indeed used for design of buildings as a whole. I think the instructor is misinformed.

Wind tunnel testing will often lead to reduction in wind loading on the structure as compared to code prescriptions, thus the reason for investing in wind tunnel testing for tall buildings.

You should be certain that the testing and interpretation of results are being undertaken by properly experienced people, as there are not many around who qualify.