The Effect of Facade Features on Cladding Pressures

Wind tunnel tests were carried out for a typical size multistorey building in order to investigate the effect of various appurtenances such as balconies and sunshades on the wind pressure distribution on building facades. Generally, facade elements tended to reduce the pressures on the side walls, which are most critical in terms of cladding design while the windward wall pressures were increased. However, it was found that different arrangements of appurtenances had different effects on the wind pressure distributions. In order to account for these properly in the design of cladding, it seems necessary to include guidelines to this effect in wind loading codes.