Example 1

Calculate the pressure coeffi cients for a single-bay building with the following data:
height of building = h = 35.5 m;
depth of building = d = 27.0 m;
roof slope = = 6.28;
wind blowing from right.
Based on Eurocode 1, Part 1-4, we calculate the coeffi cients as follows.
For the external wind pressure coeffi cients cpe, we refer to Table 2.8, with h/d = 1.37.
Therefore, on the windward vertical wall, cpe = +0.8 (acting towards the wall, normal to
the wall). On the leeward vertical wall, cpe = 0.5 (suction, acting outwards normal to the
wall). Referring to Table 7.4(a) of Eurocode 1, Part 1-4, for a roof pitch angle = 6.28,
on the windward roof slope, cpe = 0.6 (acting outwards normal to the roof). On the leeward
roof slope, cpe = 0.6 (acting outwards normal to the roof) (see Fig. 2.4(a)).
For the internal pressure coeffi cients (suction) cpi (the area of the openings in the dominant
face is twice the area of the openings in the remaining faces, assumed to be of high
permeability),
cpi = 0.75cpe (7.1)
Therefore, on the windward vertical wall, cpi = 0.75cpe = 0.75 0.8 = 0.6 (acting
inwards, i.e. suction). On the leeward vertical wall, cpi = 0.75cpe = 0.75 0.5 = 0.4 (acting
inwards, i.e. suction). On the windward roof slope, cpi = 0.75cpe = 0.75 0.6 = 0.45
(acting inwards, i.e. suction). On the leeward roof slope, cpi = 0.75cpe = 0.75 0.6 =
0.45 (acting inwards, i.e. suction). (See Fig. 2.4(b).)
For the internal positive pressure coeffi cients cpi (acting outwards from within the building),
we have the following. On the windward vertical wall, cpi = +0.758 0.8 = +0.6. On
the leeward vertical wall, cpi = +0.75 0.5 = 0.4. On the windward roof slope, cpi = +0.75
0.6 = + 0.45. On the leeward roof slope, cpi = +0.75 0.6 = +0.45. (See Fig. 2.4(d).)
The resultant pressure coeffi cients (cpe cpi) with an internal suction are:
On windward vertical wall, +0.8 (0.6) = +1.4
On leeward vertical wall, 0.5 (0.4) = 0.10
On windward roof slope, 0.6 (0.45) = 0.15
On leeward roof slope, 0.6 (0.45) = 0.15
(See Fig. 2.4(c).)

Steel.indb 28 5/21/2010 6:54:02 PM

Structural Analysis and Design

29

35.5
1.5
27.0
0.4 0.6
0.45
Internal ve pressure coefficients (suction)
0.9 0.2
1.05 1.05
Resultant pressure coefficients
CASE 1: INTERNAL SUCTION
CASE 2: INTERNAL +VE PRESSURE

(high permeability)

(b) (c)
(e)

negative
internal
pressure
27.0 m

0.1 1.4
0.15 0.15
Resultant pressure coefficients
+0.8 h = 37.0 m
27.0
0.5
wind
direction

0.6 -ve 0.6 -ve

External pressure coefficients
(wind blowing from right)
= 6.28
negative

positive
+

(a)

0.5 +0.8
0.6 0.6
+0.4 +0.6
+0.45
wind
direction
External pressure coefficients
(wind blowing from right)
Internal +ve pressure coefficients
(from inside to outside)

(d)

positive
internal
pressure

The resultant pressure coeffi cients (cpe cpi) with an internal positive pressure are:
On windward vertical wall, +0.8 ( +0.6) = +0.20
On leeward vertical wall, 0.5 (+0.4) = 0.90
On windward roof slope, 0.6 (+0.45) = 1.05
On leeward roof slope, 0.6 (+0.45) = 1.05
The values of the pressure coeffi cients are shown in Fig. 2.4(e).