Wind Loads on Low-Rise Buildings: Comparison Between Computational Techniques, Codes, and Wind Tunnel Tests

Abstract

In our country, wind speeds are considered in the Argentine Wind Action Code on Buildings (CIRSOC 102), where the calculation of the forces these wind speeds induce on the structure is done using pressure coefficients. Generally, the values of these coefficients remain unchanged for long periods until new tests are conducted with optimized techniques and new instruments. As a result, the codes undergo adaptations over time. In recent years, the emergence of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in the field of building aerodynamics has allowed the comparison of computationally calculated loads with wind tunnel tests and/or the application of codes. This synergy is recognized as an efficient approach in the design of structures in general. Thus, the purpose of this work is to compare the loads obtained on a low-rise building with gable roof using CFD, the CIRSOC 102 code, and wind tunnel tests reported in the specialized literature.