| Summary |
Wind force coefficients for designing frame-type membrane structures are investigated based on a wind tunnel experiment, in which the effect of gable-end condition on the wind force coefficients is discussed on the basis of the load effect. Four different gable-end conditions are tested. Simultaneous pressure measurements at many points both on the external and internal surfaces of a rigid model are made in a turbulent boundary layer. In the present paper, focus is on the wind force coefficients for the main wind force resisting systems, or the structural frames. The results of wind tunnel experiment indicate that the wind pressure distribution is strongly dependent on the gable-end condition as well as on the wind direction. In general, oblique winds generate larger wind loads on the frame located near the windward gable end. When discussing the wind force coefficients, focus is on the bending moment at the windward knee as the load effect, assuming that a planar structural frame analysis is carried out in the structural design. The LRC method proposed by Kasperski and a conditional sampling technique are employed for evaluating the design wind force coefficients, providing equivalent static wind loads. Based on the results for the most critical condition, a simple model of design wind force coefficient is proposed, which can be used in the frame of conventional gust effect factor approach. |