Design wind loads for low-rise buildings: A critical review of wind load specifications for industrial buildings

From extensive wind tunnel tests on low-rise buildings with flat roofs, two wind load distributions have been identified to be decisive for the design of the steel frames. Based on these results, the Eurocode 1 introduces a novel alternative wind load distribution with a positive roof pressure. In many design-practical cases, most of the codes reviewed do not sufficiently cover this wind action and its effects, leading to a possible under-design of the cross-sections of up to 35%. The recent trend to lighter construction and non-linear design needs further investigations of possible resonant effects. First results indicate that dynamic effects may have some additional influence on the design.