Performance-Based Evaluation of an Existing Building Subjected to Wind Forces

Abstract

Buildings subjected to wind forces are designed using elastic analysis and equivalent static lateral loads. When existing buildings are subject to alterations, conformance under wind provisions is currently evaluated using the same approach. However, significant benefits can be obtained with the adoption of a performance-based technique, where member inelastic behavior and dynamic effects of the natural hazard are explicitly considered. Such strategies have been successfully adopted in seismic engineering. This paper presents a performance-based evaluation of an existing building with concrete core walls as the lateral resisting system. Nondestructive testing, nonlinear material models and dynamic loads from wind tunnel testing were utilized to determine the adequacy of the lateral load system. Building responses at the target performance level were compared with owner-ratified performance criteria. The evaluation highlighted deficient elements in the lateral system and enabled the owner to make well informed decisions regarding retrofit strategies.