Wind Pressures on the Akron Airship Dock

Abstract

THE Airship Dock at Akron, Ohio, Fig. 1, a hangar of unique dimensions and design, has been an interesting object for the study of wind pressure distribution on buildings. Its design features such as the vaulted roof and the vanishing orange-peel doors were dictated by airship operating considerations. At first glance one would expect that such liberal concessions to the demands of the operator and radical departure from conventional building design might entail a great sacrifice in cost. Fortunately, the contrary is the case. The vaulted building is a more efficient structure than one covered with a flat or saddled roof. The vanishing orange peel type doors are much more easily braced because wind loads on them are of little significance, whereas flat wing doors require huge bracing structures to hold them erect when open in any wind. The same advantage is reflected in the size and simplicity of the mechanism with which they are operated for opening and closing.