Wind-induced interference effects on buildings - a review of the state-of-the-art

The evaluation of wind loads on buildings is carried out mainly by using codes and standards, whose specifications are generally based on wind tunnel tests performed on isolated structures in an open terrain. However, it has been shown by several researchers that wind loads on buildings in realistic environments may be considerably different from those measured on isolated buildings. Neighbouring structures may either decrease or increase the flow-induced forces on a building, depending mainly on the geometry and arrangement of these structures, their orientation with respect to the direction of flow and upstream terrain conditions. Therefore, this effect, commonly known as interference, must be properly assessed by designers and planners. This paper reviews and analyzes over six decades of work pertaining to interference effects. In addition to highlighting the seriousness of the problem, the analysis has found inconsistencies in the results and incoherence among various studies. A few attempts to provide general recommendations have not been successful, due to the complex nature of the problem and the large variation among various studies. It is, therefore, imperative to tackle the problem of interference in a systematic manner in order to propose a generalized set of guidelines that will be of practical use to building designers and planners. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.