Wind Loads on Low Building Roofs: A Stochastic Perspective

Abstract

A comprehensive experimental study of local wind pressure fluctuations on low building roofs has been carried out, by testing a variety of building models exposed to open and suburban boundary-layer flows for various wind directions, to determine the overall stochastic characteristics of wind loads on roofs. The analysis of pressure data indicates that the pressure fluctuations are sensitive to tap location, roof geometry, and wind direction. Both Gaussian and non-Gaussian fluctuations have been found in all roof types; however, non-Gaussian fluctuations are generally found in flow separation zones. Zones of Gaussian and non-Gaussian pressure fluctuations are presented. Relevant stochastic characteristics of wind pressure fluctuations in time, frequency, and amplitude domains are discussed.