Wind Loading of Structures

John D. Holmes

The Wind Loading of Structures has had significant research effort in many countries during the last 30 to 35 years.

Several thousand research papers have been published in journals and conference proceedings in all aspects of the subject.

In many countries, wind loading governs the design of many structures, yet even there a good knowledge and understanding of wind loading amongst practicing engineers is not widespread, despite the wealth of material available.

Why is this the case? There are probably several reasons.

The multidisciplinary nature of the subject − involving probability and statistics, meteorology, the fluid mechanics of bluff bodies, and structural dynamics, undoubtedly is a deterrent to structural engineers whose expertise is in the analysis and design of structures under nominally static loads.

The subject is usually not taught in University and College courses, except as final year undergraduate electives, or at post-graduate level, although exposure to wind loading codes of practice or standards often occurs in design courses.

Like many subjects, the jargon used by specialists and researchers in wind loading can be a deterrent to many non-specialists.

Wind Loading of Structures has been written with the practicing structural engineer in mind, based on many years of experience working with clients in this profession. I hope it may also find use in advanced University courses.