Wind tunnel model studies of aerodynamic lifting of roof pavers

Wind tunnel model studies of aerodynamic lifting of roof pavers Conference

Irwin, P, Dragoiescu, C, Cicci, M et al. (2013). Wind tunnel model studies of aerodynamic lifting of roof pavers . 496-505.

A wind tunnel investigation of lift off of concrete roof pavers from a high-rise building using a 1:10 scale model is described. Corner vortices were the key reason for the observed movement of the pavers. It was also found that if Reynolds number effects were ignored the model tests overestimated the lift off velocity that occurred at full scale during a wind storm. However, making a Reynolds number correction to the model results based on published results on behavior of roof suctions under corner vortices brought them into good agreement with full scale. The effectiveness of strapping systems on the two edge rows of pavers and on all pavers was investigated. As well, vertically restraining edge pavers was tested. The full strapping system was found to be significantly more effective than straps on two edge rows only, and further substantial improvement was obtained when edge restraints were added. © ASCE and ATC 2013.