The spatial and temporal characteristics of the pressure fields on the roof and wall edges of a low-rise building with a 4: 12-pitched roof have been investigated by using a data-base, which was constructed at BLWTL, The University of Western Ontario. This paper presents the results on the characteristics of pressure distributions. Special attentions are paid to the spatial extent and the duration of severe suctions. Detailed analyses of the data are made for the wind direction which gives the highest suctions near the leading edge for particular surfaces of the building. The variation of pressure distribution with time is described. The results indicate that the area of severe suctions is relatively small, smaller than that of a plywood commonly used in the North America, and that the duration is rather short, such as 0.2 to 0.3 sec. in full scale. Furthermore, it is found that the large peak suctions occur with similar pressure distribution patterns.
View full abstract