Modelling surface pressure fluctuations on medium-rise buildings

This paper describes the results of two experiments into the fluctuating characteristics of wind-induced pressures on buildings in a built-up environment. The experiments have been carried out independently in Iceland and The Netherlands and can be considered to represent two separate cases of building geometries (H≅B and H<B). The results from both experiments show similar trends. Spectra of wind-induced pressures are related to the upstream wind velocity spectrum by the wind induced pressure admittance and the mean pressure coefficient. The velocity–pressure admittance plots for the windward sides show a conventional behaviour. Empirical models for the along-wind velocity–pressure admittance at the windward side are proposed in accordance with well-established methodology. These models, which are modifications of models previously available in the literature, are validated by the current experiments. Although more experimental research is needed for further validation, the results suggest that a model representing a broad range of building geometries can be developed for along-wind velocity–pressure admittance at the windward facade.