STRUCTURAL RESPONSE OF A PORTAL FRAMED BUILDING UNDER WIND LOAD

The strains in the centre steel portal frame of a building have been measured under natural wind conditions. These measurements are supplementary to external surface and internal pressure measurements and were undertaken to provide information on load transfer and building response. The performance of the building frame under wind is assessed by comparing measured mean strains on the centre portal frame with calculated values derived from the external measured pressure distribution together with a suitable internal pressure coefficient and an appropriate structural frame characteristic fixing to the foundation. The dynamic behaviour of the frame is examined by power spectral analysis of external and internal pressures and portal frame strains.