ABSTRACT

Lateral forces caused by winds are a major factor in the design of tall buildings. Wind and flood along with earthquake, fire and snow are the main reasons for building fiascoes in the United States. The hurricane covered the buildings like an ocean and cost several million dollars in cleanup and recovery. In terms of wind engineering, the building envelope provides protection against strong wind actions to the interior environment and the occupants. Where cross-wind loading effects, vortex shedding, galloping, flutter and dynamic torsion are anticipated, wind tunnels are used to determine wind pressures on buildings. In single-family one- and two-storied homes or duplexes, lateral wind loads are received by the walls and other envelope elements like exterior doors and windows. Multi-storied buildings consist of concrete slabs supported on structural steel or concrete frames. Various states and the International Code Council have product evaluation agencies that review and approve products for the building envelopes.