Generation of local wind pressure coefficients for the design of low building roofs

This paper presents recent research on the experimental evaluation of wind loads on low buildings and the recommendations provided in the form of trad itional codification. These mainly include the wind loads on buildings with geometries different from those examined in previous studies. This is foll owed by the evaluation of simulated wind loads on low building roofs. The o verall application of a recently proposed simulation methodology for codifi cation purposes is discussed in detail. The traditional codification provid es for a group of roof geometries a single peak design pressure coefficient for each roof zone considering a nominal worst-case scenario; this may oft en lead to uneconomical loads. Alternatively, the presented methodology is capable of providing peak pressure coefficients corresponding to specific r oof gy geometries and according to risk levels; this can generate risk cons istent and more economical design wind loads for specific roof configuratio ns taking into account, for instance, directional design conditions and ups tream roughnesses.