Mathematical Model to Predict 3‐D Wind Loading on Buildings

Abstract

A mathematical model to predict 3‐D wind loading on buildings with rectangular geometry and wind acting normally to a face is formulated. This methodology allows the evaluation of force distribution in the frequency domain including mean wind loads and fluctuating loads due to alongwind and acrosswind atmospheric turbulence and wake excitation; self‐excited forces are not taken into consideration. The reliability of the proposed technique is verified by comparing predicted results with experimental data available in the literature. The satisfactory agreement between theoretical and experimental results demonstrates the good applicability of this methodology, but also emphasizes the necessity of carrying out extensive wind tunnel and full‐scale experiments in order to improve the knowledge of the most relevant aerodynamic parameters on which the correctness of the predicted results strongly depends.