New QAM released for Full-Scale Wind Testing of Components of Building Envelopes and Architectural Features

Posted on June 30, 2024

 

Windtech Director, Tony Rofail was commissioned by the Australasian Wind Engineering Society in February 2023 to spearhead the development of this much-needed Quality Assurance Manual.

A committee was formed which consisted of Dr Nick Truong (Windtech director), Dr Ahmed Faheem (Windtech Associate Director) as well as representatives from the Cyclone Testing Station, CPP, Insol, MEL and Mott MacDonald.

The document was completed in January 2024 and was adopted by the AWES Executive Committee in May 2024. The QAM is free for anyone to download from the following link: AWES-QAM-2-2024

This is the first such Quality Assurance Manual and deals with the minimum requirements for full-scale testing of components of building envelopes and architectural features.

Outline

Part A: Wind Tunnel Tests for Aerodynamic Shape Factors: Covers testing for intricate or finer details on building envelopes not covered by AS/NZS1170.2 and require full-scale (or in some cases a very large scale) tests. Such elements can include:

  • Façade Ancillary Elements such as Sunshades
  • Ornamental sculptures and statues
  • Other unique shaped elements such as street and balcony furniture, hanging lighting/ chandeliers, antennae, Porous screens, etc
  • Pedestal paver systems and porous wall tiles.

Part B: Tests for wind-induced dynamic excitation: Covers testing for façade elements and other objects that are likely to exhibit significant resonant excitation and/or wake interference. Such elements can include:

  • Repetitive fines, louvres, prismatic shapes
  • Light-weight panels
  • 3-dimensional objects that are deemed to exhibit significant resonant dynamic response.

Part C: Functionality testing of façade components: Covers testing of the functionality of façade components under strong wind conditions. Such elements can include:

  • Safe operability of windows and doors
  • Operable shading elements and privacy screens
  • Ventilated double-skin facades.

Part D: Wind Tunnel Tests for Wind Noise: This section covers the key procedural details in conducting a wind noise test, such as test configurations, methods of recording the noise levels and spectra, positioning of the microphone etc.

  • Appendix I: Mechanical Tests for ULS Loads
  • Appendix II: Wind Tests for Wind and Rain Ingress

Windtech continues to be heavily involved in the various committees around the world which preside over anything wind engineering related. We are committed to contributing and sharing knowledge to ensure that the wind engineering industry continues to develop progressively.

If you are working on any projects that could benefit from wind engineering, please reach out to our regional offices Sydney & Melbourne, Australia, London, UK, Mumbai, India. New York & Miami, USA, Toronto, Canada, Dubai, Hong Kong & Singapore, we guarantee to support you wherever you are based.

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