Evaluation of Wind-Induced Structural Attenuation Based on Full-Scale Monitoring

A low-rise wood building equipped with pressure and force-monitoring equipment was used to study the wind-induced response during strong wind events. The main interest in this study was to examine the wind load path, i.e. how the dynamic wind load is transferred through the building superstructure and down to the foundation. By investigating the load transfer mechanisms it was possible to identify, and most importantly, quantify the degree of wind load attenuation, as this load reaches the foundation level. The results identified a significant degree of attenuation of wind-induced load. For most cases the predicted peak forces (FEM) exceed the observed forces captured by the load cells (full-scale). This behavior indicates that although the applied load should generate predicted responses at various components, e.g. roof to wall, wall to foundation interfaces, actual dynamic force monitoring reveals attenuation of peak forces and reactions.