Long Span Roofs

Long span roofs are as susceptible to the dynamic action of wind as other slender structures. In order to assess the correct response, aeroelastic models are useful to represent the dynamic behaviour of the roof under wind loading. These models become essential when the structure is influenced by its own motion, which represents a form of aeroelastic instability.

In the same way as for other structures, buildings with long-span roofs are tested in a wind tunnel for critical wind directions among their surroundings. Aircraft hangars, which often include long span roofs, have the added complication of generating significant internal dynamic pressures when the hangar doors are open. Wind tunnel testing can account for these, and all other complications, with the same testing procedure.

GmE was retained to perform wind tunnel studies on the Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion, including cladding pressures, roof snow loading, pedestrian wind assessment, and dynamic evaluation of the long span roof.