Experimental study of wind-induced pressures on tall buildings of different shapes

The modern tall buildings are often constructed as an unconventional plan and as twin buildings. Wind load on the tall building is significantly influenced by the presence of another building in the near vicinity. So, it is imperative to study wind forces on an unconventional plan shaped tall building. Mean wind pressure coefficients of a square and 'H' plan shape tall buildings are investigated using wind tunnel experiments. The experiments were carried out for various wind directions from 00 to 900 at an interval of 300 and various locations of the identical interfering building. The experimental results are presented at the windward face from the viewpoint of effects on cladding design. To quantify the interference effects, interference factors (I.F) are calculated. Mean pressure coefficients of both models are compared for isolated and interference conditions. The results show that pressure reduces with an increase in wind angle till 600 wind direction. The interfering building at full blockage interference condition generates more suction than the other two conditions. The interference factor for both models is less than unity. H-plan building model is subjected to a higher pressure than the square model. © 2020 Techno-Press, Ltd.