SOH Wind Engineering provides representative pressure coefficients based on the model testing in their boundry layer wind tunnel. These coefficients are then used to determine the wind action in full-scale structures in a variety of ways. One method is to combine the directional dependent characteristic peak velocity pressures with the measured pressure coefficients as a function of wind direction.

The determined wind action covers local wind loads used to design small structural elements and fixtures, with each pressure tap on the structure corresponding to an area of less than 1 m² to ensure safe estimates.

Larger tributary areas

Wind loads measured can also be used to determine wind actions on surface areas relevant for designing larger structural parts. Pressure taps on the model are located in clusters of 4 taps. Spatial averaging is used to estimate wind action for areas of 10 m². The results are used to determine both 1 m² and 10 m² pressure coefficients.

Typical delivery format

Local wind loads that are used to design components and cladding are delivered as characteristic, equivalent static pressures. Separate maps can be provided for both positive and negative pressure or for different size of tributary areas.

The figure shows an example of a pressure model along with a pressure map for the positive cladding pressures.