Interference effects of a neighboring building on wind loads on scaffolding

This study investigates the interference effects of a neighboring building on wind loads on scaffolding. Wind tunnel experiments were carried out on scaffolding with nonporous cladding. Three scaffolding geometries were considered. Effects of neighboring building location, neighboring building height ratio and principal building opening ratio were studied, and mean panel force coefficients were determined. Based on experimental data, wind forces acting on tie members were estimated, and the largest peak tensile force among all tie members was evaluated. Interference factors were determined. When the neighboring building was located in front of the measured scaffolding, the interference effects on both the largest positive and largest negative mean panel force coefficients were dramatic. The largest positive wind loads on the scaffolding become larger when the neighboring building was located on the left or right side of the measured scaffolding. Interference factors were determined by the largest peak tensile forces in tie members. The largest interference factors were found when the neighboring building was located in front of the scaffolding for a building distance 1.5 times the building depth. When the neighboring building was located on the left or right side of the measured scaffolding, the interference factors were always larger than 1. The neighboring building height ratio had significant effects on the largest mean panel force coefficient but only slight effects on interference factors. The neighboring building had less effect on the wind direction causing the largest peak tensile force in the tie members.