Aerodynamic Databases and Electronic Standards for Wind Loads: A Pilot Application.
Aerodynamic Databases and Electronic Standards for Wind
Loads: A Pilot Application.
(746 K)
Whalen, T. M.; Simiu, E.; Harris, G.; Lin, J.; Surry, D.
NIST SP 931; August 1998.
U.S./Japan Natural Resources Development Program (UJNR).
Wind and Seismic Effects. Joint Meeting of the
U.S./Japan Cooperative Program in Natural Resources
Panel on Wind and Seismic Effects, 30th. May 12-15,
1998, Gaithersburg, MD, Raufaste, N. J., Jr., Editor(s),
506-514 pp, 1998.
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161.
Telephone:
1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000;
Fax: 703-605-6900.
Website: http://www.ntis.gov
Order number: PB98-150238
Keywords:
aerodynamics; codes; standards; databases; structural
engineering; wind engineering
Abstract:
As part of ongoing National Institute of Standards and
Technology research on the development of a new
generation of standard provisions for wind loads, we
present results of a pilot project on the use of large
aerodynamic databases for the improved estimation of
wind-induced bending moments and shear forces in
low-rise building frames. We use records of wind
pressure time histories measured at a large number of
taps on the building surface in the Boundary Layer Wind
Tunnel of the University of Western Ontario. Time
histories of moments and shear forces in a frame are
obtained by adding pressures at all tape tributary to
that frame multiplied by the respective tributary areas
and influence coefficients. The latter were obtained
from frame designs provided by CECO Building Systems.
We compare results obtained by using the pressure time
history records with results based on ASCE 7 standard
provisions. The comparison shows clearly that
provisions which use aerodynamic databases containing
the type of data described in this work can result in
designs that are significantly more risk-consistent as
well as both safer and more economical than designs
based on conventional standard provisions. We outline
future research on improved design methodologies made
possible by our proposed approach to wind loading
standardization. Finally, the proposed methodologies
may be used for damage assessment for insurance
purposes.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899