Wind and Structures

Volume 34, Number 5, 2022, pages 421-435

DOI: 10.12989/was.2022.34.5.421

Non-Gaussian features of dynamic wind loads on a long-span roof in boundary layer turbulences with different integral-scales

Xiongwei Yang , Qiang Zhou , Yongfu Lei , Yang Yang , Mingshui Li

Abstract

To investigate the non-Gaussian properties of fluctuating wind pressures and the error margin of extreme wind loads on a long-span curved roof with matching and mismatching ratios of turbulence integral scales to depth (Lxu/D) a series of synchronized pressure tests on the rigid model of the complex curved roof were conducted. The regions of Gaussian distribution and non-Gaussian distribution were identified by two criteria, which were based on the cumulative probabilities of higher-order statistical moments (skewness and kurtosis coefficients, Sk and Ku) and spatial correlation of fluctuating wind pressures, respectively. Then the characteristics of fluctuating wind-loads in the non-Gaussian region were analyzed in detail in order to understand the effects of turbulence integral-scale. Results showed that the fluctuating pressures with obvious negative-skewness appear in the area near the leading edge, which is categorized as the non-Gaussian region by both two identification criteria. Comparing with those in the wind field with matching Lxu/D the range of non-Gaussian region almost unchanged with a smaller Lxu/D while the non-Gaussian features become more evident, leading to higher values of Sk, Ku and peak factor. On contrary, the values of fluctuating pressures become lower in the wind field with a smaller Lxu/D eventually resulting in underestimation of extreme wind loads. Hence, the matching relationship of turbulence integral scale to depth should be carefully considered as estimating the extreme wind loads of long-span roof by wind tunnel tests.

Key Words

long-span roof; non-Gaussian features; peak factor; probability distribution; turbulence integral scale

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