Wind pressure features of large-span flat roof in different wind fields induced by conical vortex

The wind pressure features on a large-span flat roof in uniform flow field and turbulent field induced by conical vortex were studied, through wind tunnel tests. From the comparison of the mean and fluctuating wind pressure distributions on a flat roof in different wind fields induced by conical vortex, results indicate that the mean suction dominates in the smooth flow, whereas the fluctuating suction is more obvious in the turbulent flow. The probability density function for the pressure fluctuations under different approaching flows is analyzed. The two-peaked distribution, peculiar to turbulent flow field, is observed on the curve of probability density. The fluctuating pressures at reattachment points are larger under the turbulent flow. This indicates a more intense reattachment, which may cause overturning moment for roof-mounted items. Point vortex, RanKine vortex, and simplified Cook expression are applied to fit the pressure profiles beneath conical vortices, respectively. The results have shown that the RanKine vortex model and simplified Cook expression were applicable to forecast the wind pressure profiles beneath conical vortices, while point vortex underestimated the real wind suction. The wind pressure distributions in turbulent fields induced by different wind angles were contrasted, when the approaching flow is along the diagonal of the roof, the intensity of the vortex pairs is almost equal, with obvious reattachment. When the approaching flow deviate from the diagonal of the roof, the lateral turbulent component spins the vortex more quickly; this induces larger mean suctions beneath windward vortices. Smaller suctions are observed beneath the leeward vortex, due to less vorticity being converted to vortex motion from the freestream.