Monitoring of Near-Surface Winds and Wind Pressures on an Instrumented Low-Rise Building during Super Typhoon Rammasun

Abstract

This paper presents the results of observed near-surface winds and wind-induced pressures on the gable roof of an instrumented low-rise building. The observations were made during the strongest typhoon to make landfall in China since 1949—Super Typhoon Rammasun. For comparison purposes, the paper also presents field measurements taken during four other tropical cyclones of lower strengths. This work first investigates the characteristics of near-surface winds, including those of turbulence intensities, turbulence integral length scales, gust factors, and wind turbulence spectra. The work then offers an analysis of the mean, RMS, and minimum pressure coefficients on the gable roof under oblique winds. To investigate the influences of windstorm strengths on the pressure coefficients, a comparative study is made of the measurements recorded during Super Typhoon Rammasun and those recorded during the four tropical cyclones. To explore the mechanisms of how high suctions are generated, spectral analysis is conducted for the wind pressures near the roof edges. In addition, the effects of elevation angle on the wind pressures are investigated. This study aims to shed light on the wind effects of extreme wind conditions on low-rise buildings and to provide useful information on how to improve the wind-resistant design of low-rise buildings.