Variation of internal pressure with varying sizes of dominant openings and volumes

Abstract

A dominant opening in a windward wall will generate large positive internal pressures during windstorms, which, in combination with large suction pressures on the roof, commonly causes building failures and is hence a governing design criterion. The fluctuating (and peak) internal pressures are dependent on the external pressure and the size of the opening and the size of the building volume. This study presents ratios of internal pressure to external pressure standard deviations and peaks in terms of the nondimensional opening size to volume parameter, S*, and the size of the dominant opening and discharge coefficient. The study also analyzes equations that have been proposed as design formulas for inclusion in codes and standards.