Evaluation of Equivalent Static Wind Loads on Buildings

Wind loads on buildings can be quantified through synchronous measurements of pressure over building model surfaces or by high frequency force balance (HFFB) measurements. Although this loading information can be directly utilized for building design applications, current design practice often requires the transformation of dynamic wind loading to the equivalent static wind loads (ESWLs). This paper addresses prediction of wind load effects and modeling of associated ESWLs of buildings with uncoupled mode shapes of vibration. Both building response in primary directions and that contributed by the combined actions of wind loads in different directions are studied. Various approaches used in the development of ESWLs associated with the peak wind load effects of buildings are critically evaluated with some new insights that lead to improved modeling of wind loading for design applications.