INTERNAL-PRESSURE DYNAMICS WITH A DOMINANT OPENING

The paper examines the transient and steady state behaviour of the internal pressure following the sudden formation of a windward opening in an otherwise sealed (or almost so) building. Comparatively simple predictive methods are developed for both the steady state and the transient behaviour and these are confirmed by experimental observations. Although the theory is restricted to single openings, the effect of background leakage is examined experimentally and shown to be of minor consequence if the leakage area is less than about 10% of the main opening. The results presented are applicable to the design problem of assessing the effects of the failure by overload or impact of a window or door in a low rise building or in an office of a large building if the flow connection between the office and the building has an area which is small compared to that of the failed window. While the experimental program was limited to a windward opening the theory is, for the most part, equally applicable to openings elsewhere on the structure.