Simple Measurement Techniques for Area Wind Loads

Abstract

Innovative techniques for the measurement of mean and fluctuating wind loads acting over various tributary areas of wind tunnel models are described. Pneumatic manifolding, designed to provide good dynamic response, allows effective loads over large areas to be measured which inherently account for lack of spatial and temporal correlation in the unsteady pressure field. On‐line integration utilizes such effective area loads as inputs to computer models of structural systems to directly determine dynamic structural responses. Examples of applications are given which illustrate the simplicity and economy of the technique, and the importance of the tributary area in determining the effective design load. Potential future applications are also discussed.