Wind Load Factors for Use in the Wind Tunnel Procedure

Area of Science:

• Structural Engineering
• Wind Engineering
• Aerodynamics

Background:

• The ASCE 7 Standard lacks guidance on wind load factors for wind tunnel procedures.
• Existing standards do not fully account for uncertainties in wind load determination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide guidance on appropriate wind load factors for the ASCE 7 Standard's wind tunnel procedure.
• To develop a method for calculating wind load factors considering various uncertainties.

Main Methods:

• Classical definition of wind load factors based on uncertainties (micrometeorological, wind climatological, aerodynamics, structural dynamics).
• Development of a straightforward approach for practitioners to determine appropriate wind load factors.
• Collective accounting for uncertainties to achieve risk-consistent designs.

Main Results:

• A simple approach for determining appropriate wind load factors is presented.
• The proposed method allows for adjustments when uncertainties differ from those in the ASCE 7 Standard.
• Load factors are generally similar to those in the ASCE 7 Standard, but increase significantly with shorter wind speed records.

Conclusions:

• The presented approach enables risk-consistent building designs by collectively accounting for wind load uncertainties.
• Practitioners can use this method to apply appropriate wind load factors, especially when dealing with limited wind speed data.
• The study contributes essential guidance to the ASCE 7 Standard for wind engineering applications.