Abstract

The wind-induced response of low-rise wood buildings has been evaluated by monitoring a specially instrumented test building exposed to real wind action. The field facilities included a state-of-the-art data acquisition system which collected wind, pressure and force data. In addition to the field monitoring, a 1:200 scaled model of the test building was tested in the wind tunnel and the envelope wind pressures were estimated for various terrain exposures. The wind-induced pressures obtained from both the full-scale and wind tunnel experiments were incorporated in the finite element model of the test building and its response was numerically derived.

Vast amounts of experimental data were generated during the long-term monitoring of the test building. These data were used to successfully verify the simulation approaches in terms of both wind-induced pressures and structural forces. Some limited discrepancies were observed in the peak pressure coefficients for locations close to the roof ridge and corners. The field acquired force data revealed that the majority of the wind uplift force is supported by the two side walls. Moreover, it was experimentally verified that the wind-induced load was attenuated as it was transferred through the buildings' structural system. This attenuation was estimated to be at least 17%, as far as the total foundation uplift force is concerned, and reached the 28% for certain approaching wind directions.