Wind Effects on Tall Buildings with a Porous Double-Skin Façade

Abstract

Double-Skin Facades (DSF) on tall buildings are becoming increasingly common in urban environments due to their ability to provide architectural merit, passive design, acoustic control and even improved structural efficiency. This study aims to understand the effects of porous DSF on the aerodynamic characteristics of tall buildings using wind tunnel tests. High Frequency Force Balance and pressure tests were performed on the CAARC standard tall building model with a variable porous DSF on the windward face. The introduction of a porous DSF did not adversely affect the overall mean forces and moments experienced by the building, with few differences compared to the standard tall building model. There was also minimal variation between the results for the three porosities tested: 50%, 65% and 80%. The presence of a full-height porous DSF was shown to effectively reduce the mean and fluctuating wind pressure on the side face of the building by about 10%, and a porous DSF over the lower half height of the building was almost as effective. This indicates that the porous DSF could be used to reduce the design load on cladding and fixtures on the side faces of tall buildings, where most damage to facades typically occurs.