EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF WIND PRESSURE DISRUBUTION ON A CURVED SHAPE STRUCTURE

Abstract

The present study deals with the distribution of wind pressure on the curved-shaped high-rise structure by means of wind tunnel testing system. A very stiff scale model of building was placed in a wind tunnel and subjected to simulated atmospheric boundary layer conditions for a variety of wind directions and reference wind speeds. Pressure measurements were performed utilizing an array of pressure taps located on the windward, leeward and side façades. The gathered data were processed to determine the fluctuating pressure coefficients, which permitted a detailed evaluation of the aerodynamic performance. The effect of curvature on flow separation, wake creation and localized high suction zones was studied and compared to typical rectangular building forms. The results show that the use of curved geometry can lead to a reduction of the total aerodynamic drag, but at the same time causes high local negative pressures and pressure fluctuations. The results emphasize the significance of precise wind load assessment for the safe design of façade and structural members of curved high-rise shaped buildings.