Wind Loads on Eaves of Low Buildings

Wind pressure loads acting on 1:12 sloped perimeter eave sections of low-rise building models have been measured in turbulent boundary layer flow, simulating wind over open country and suburban terrains. Both local and area load measurements have been carried out for two eave widths (5 ft and 10 ft in full scale) and three eave heights (16 ft, 24 ft, and 32 ft in full scale). Data show the overestimation of peak loads which may be made if the effective uplift forces on the eaves are derived from simple local pressure measurements on upper and lower eave surfaces, and full correlation of the worst cases is assumed. A simplified chart with pressure coefficients appropriate for design is also suggested.