3. Wind Effect and Wind Force Resistant Buildings

One of the important natural effects that must be taken into account for the design and construction of the steel structures is wind. In actual case wind forces may fluctuate with time but for most of the structures dynamic effect is small, there for the wind load is treated as lateral static loads. However for tall and slender structures such as the high rise buildings, a dynamic structural wind analysis is required.

Picture 3.1 - Wind forces on the buildings

Static loads effects of wind forces are taken as to be acting perpendicular to the building walls and building roofs. Both the wind pressure and the wind suction must be taken into account during the structural analysis of steel structures. Especially wind suction on the roof surface may create serious problems due the light weight of the structure if the roof frame members are not tied to the main building properly. The magnitude of the wind pressure or suction depends upon a comprehensive relationship in between wind speed, air mass density, building geometry, building dimensions, building stiffness, orientation, location, surrounding area and some other factors. Extreme wind effects may be concerned in some parts of the world such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, typhoons and these types of areas require a detailed wind engineering approach for the steel building design.

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