Wind force coefficients for the main force resisting system and cladding of free-standing canopy roofs with small roof pitches

Abstract

Wind loads on free-standing canopy roofs have been investigated in a simulated turbulent boundary layer. Three types of roof geometries, i.e. gable, troughed and mono-sloped roofs, with roof pitches between 0°and 15°, were tested. Wind pressures were measured simultaneously at many points both on the top and bottom surfaces of the model for various wind directions. The local net pressure coefficients and the overall wind force and moment coefficients were computed by using the pressure data. The paper first describes the characteristics of the overall wind forces and moments acting on the roof with special attention to the load combination for discussing the design wind loads; the axial forces induced in the four imaginary columns at the roof corners are considered as the load effect for discussing the design wind loads. Then, the characteristics of the local net pressures are investigated. A brief discussion is made of the peak net pressure coefficients for cladding design.