Wind loads on free-standing canopy roofs: Part 2 overall wind forces

Wind loads on free-standing canopy roofs have been studied in a wind tunnel. Three types of roof geometries, i.e. gable, troughed and mono-sloped roofs, with roof pitches ranging from 0° to 15°, were tested. Wind pressures were measured simultaneously at many points both on the top and bottom surfaces of the roof model for various wind directions. The paper describes the characteristics of overall wind forces and moments acting on the roof with special attention to load combination. Correlation between wind force and moment coefficients is investigated and wind force coefficients for the design of main wind force resisting systems are proposed. The roof is assumed rigid and simply supported by four corner columns, whose axial forces appear as the most important load effect. Two loading patterns that cause the maximum tension and compression of columns are considered. The proposed values are also compared with the specifications of the Australian/New Zealand Standard [Standards Australia, 2002. Australian/New Zealand Standard, AS/NZS 1170.2].