Equivalent static wind loads on low-rise buildings based on full-scale pressure measurements

This paper addresses the modeling of equivalent static wind loads (ESWLs) on low-rise buildings based on full-scale pressure measurements. The wind load effects of different building frames under alongwind excitations are quantified and compared with those based on the wind loads specified in ASCE 7-05 to examine the adequacy of current design wind load. The ESWLs causing different peak wind load effects of building frames are investigated using a number of approaches, which include the gust response factor (GRF), gust loading envelope (GLE) and load–response-correlation (LRC) approaches. This investigation points out the challenges faced in seeking advanced ESWLs on low-rise buildings which are physically meaningful and insensitive to individual response. Finally, a new approach for modeling ESWLs based on the proper orthogonal decomposition of wind loading field is proposed. The new approach provides a set of ESWLs associated with a small number of important loading modes which are independent of individual response and structural systems, and is able to give accurate prediction of all responses. The proposed approach offers a physically meaningful and convenient modeling of wind loads on low-rise buildings with great potential of design applications.