771

J. Acad. Indus. Res. Vol. 1(12) May 2013

ISSN: 2278-5213

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Wind pressure distribution on Flat Canopy roofs

Neelam Rani*, Ashok K. Ahuja and Parmod K. Gupta
Civil Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India
*
neelam2310@gmail.com ; ahujafce@iitr.ernet.in; pkgpfce@iitr.ernet.in; +91 9758025429

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Abstract
Experimental results of wind tunnel tests were carried out to obtain the wind pressure distribution on flat
canopy roof. The model made of Perspex sheet at a scale of 1:40 is tested in an open circuit wind tunnel
under boundary layer flow. Effects of both blockage and wind incidence angle are studied by changing their
values. Values of wind pressure coefficients are calculated from the values of wind pressures measured at
numerous pressure points on upper and lower surfaces of the roof and are reported in the form of pressure
contours. It is observed that the wind pressure distribution on the flat canopy roof is highly influenced by wind
direction as well as blockage.
Keywords: Blockage, canopy roof, wind incidence angle, wind loads, wind pressure coefficient.

Introduction
While designing both low-rise and high-rise buildings,
structural designers refer to relevant standards on wind
loads to arrive at correct values of wind forces which will
be acting on them. Standards on wind loads of various
countries (AS/NZS: 1170.2 (2002), ASCE: 7-02 (2002),
BS: 63699 (1995), EN: 1991-1-4 (2005) and IS: 875
(part-3) (1987)) provide information about wind loads on
canopy roofs. But this information is limited for few wind
directions, roof slope and blockage only. Although
researchers namely Gumley (1983), Letchford et al.
(2000) and Roy (2009) had carried out experimental
studies on canopy roofs, yet the available information is
not enough for the designers to make safe and
economically design canopy roofs for wind loads.
It is, therefore, decided to carry out an experimental
study on the model of flat canopy roof with varying
blockage and wind incidence angle.

Materials and methods

Fig. 1. Dimensions of the model.

Fig. 2. Pressure points on model.

Model description: The prototype building selected for

the study is flat canopy roof building having plan of area
2
72 m . The length, width and eves height of the building
are 12 m, 6 m, and 3 m respectively. It is primarily
supported by 6 columns, 3 on each long side, at eaves.
The model is made of perxpex sheet at a scale of 1:40.
Thus, model dimensions are 300 mm 150 mm
75 mm (Fig. 1). Two models of same dimensions are
made one with pressure points on the upper surface and
another with pressure points on the lower surface.
Each surface is provided with 70 number of pressure
taps to obtain a good distribution of pressure on the
building model (Fig. 2). The pressure taps are placed at
closer spacing near to the edge of the building model to
obtain clear variation of pressure near the edges of
model.

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J. Acad. Indus. Res. Vol. 1(12) May 2013

Wind flow characteristics: The experiments are carried

out in open circuit wind tunnel at Indian Institute of
Technology Roorkee, India under boundary layer.
The wind tunnel has a test section of 15 m length with a
cross sectional dimensions of 2 m (width) x 2 m (height).
Floor roughing devies such as vortex generators, barrier
wall, cubical blocks of size of 150 mm, 100 mm and
50 mm are used on the upstream end of the test section
to achieve mean wind velocity profile corresponding to
terrain category 2 as per IS code. The models are placed
at a distance of 13.5 m from the upstream edge of the
test section (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3. Flat canopy roof model inside the wind tunnel.

Results and discussion

Value of mean wind pressure coefficients (Cp) on both
upper and lower surfaces of the building model are
calculated from the measured values of wind pressure
and pressure contours are drawn. Results for the three
wind directions namely 0, 45 and 90 only are shown
(Fig. 5-7) due to shortage of space. It is seen from Fig. 5
that upper roof surface is subjected to suction near
windward egde when wind blows perpendicular to long
egde. Suction decreases as one moves towards the
leeward egde. Almost half of the roof area towards the
leeward egde is subjected to pressure with maximum
value at two third location and this type of pressure
distribution on the upper roof surface of flat canopy roof
is very different from flat roof of a clad building where
entire roof starting from windward edge to leeward edge
is subjected to suction. So far as lower surface of the
canopy roof is concerned, it is subjected to almost zero
pressure with some positive pressure near leeward
corners (Fig. 6).
Fig. 5. Mean wind pressure coefficients on
upper roof surface at 0 angle.

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Measurement technique: Pressure measurements are

made at all pressure points on roof of the model for wind
incidence angles 0 to 90 at an increment of 15 (Fig. 4).
This is achieved by placing the model at the center of
the turn table and rotating the turn table by 15 after
mesuring the pressures at all pressure points for one
wind incident angle.
Fig. 4. Different wind directions on model.

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Fig. 6. Mean wind pressure coefficients on

lower roof surface at 0 angle.

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Figure 7 shows varition of mean wind pressure

coefficients on upper and lower surfaces of flat canopy
roof at 45 wind incidence angle. Lower roof surface is
subjected to very smal pressure (Fig. 8). Upper surface
is subjected to suction near windward corner with
pressrure on the remaining area (Fig. 7).

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J. Acad. Indus. Res. Vol. 1(12) May 2013

Fig. 7. Mean wind pressure coefficients on

upper roof surface at 45 angle.

Maximum pressure at this angle is found to be greater

than that at 0 wind incidence angle. Variation of mean
wind pressure coefficients on flat canopy roof at 90 wind
incidence angle is shown in Fig. 9 and 10. Almost entire
upper surface of the roof is subjected to pressure except
small strip close to windward edge where it is suction of
small value. Maximum pressure occurs almost at centre
of the roof. So far as lower surface is concerned,
distribution of pressure is almost similar to previous two
cases.

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Conclusion
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Fig. 8. Mean wind pressure coefficients on

lower roof surface at 45 angle.

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Following conclusions are drawn from the results

presented here in.
1. Wind pressure on the roof surfaces of flat canopy roof
building are highly influenced by wind incidence
angle.
2. Corners of the canopy roof are subjected to large
variation of wind pressure.
3. Whereas upper roof surface is subjected to both
suction and pressure, lower roof surface is subjected
to almost zero pressure.

Acknowledgements

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The work presented in this paper is part of the reserch

work being done by the first author for the M.Tech
degree under the supervision of remaning authors.
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Fig. 9. Mean wind pressure coefficients on

upper roof surface at 90 angle.

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Fig. 10. Mean wind pressure coefficients on

lower roof surface at 90 angle.

References
1. BS: 636999-1995. Loading for buildings: Part-2: Code of
practice for wind loads.
2. IS: 875 (Part-3). 1987. Code of practice for design loads
(other than earthquake loads) for buildings and
structures.
3. Gumley, S.J. 1983. Tubing system for pneumatic
averaging of fluctuating pressures. J. Wind Engg. Indus.
Aerodynam. 12: 189-228.
4. Letchford, C.W., Row, A., Vitale, A. and Wolbers, J.
2000. Mean wind loads on porous canopy roof. J. Wind
Engg. Indus. Aerodynam. 84: 197-213.
5. Roy, A.K. 2009. Wind loads on canopy roof buildings.
Ph. D Thesis, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute
of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, India.
6. AS/NZS: 1170.2-2002. Structural design actions, Part-2:
Wind action.
7. ASCE: 7-02-2002. Minimum design loads for buildings
and others structures.
8. EN: 1991-1-4-2005. Euro code 1: Actions on structures:
Wind actions.

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