This paper presents an approach for evaluating directionality effects for both wind speeds and wind loads in hurricane-prone regins. Using event-based simulation, hurricane directionality effects due to atmospheric flow pattenr, local exposure, and aerodynamic pressure coefficient are characterized statistically at various locations in the southeastern United States. The directional mehtod and non-directional method for determining appropriate nominal wind speeds for use in structural design are discussed i nthe context of the simulation results. Findings from the present study indicate that the non-directional methods used to calculate the wind loads found in most design codes in the United States are conservative. However, the degree of conservatism decreases as the mean recurrence interval increases.
展开▼
