The effect of sunshading elements on cladding pressures

The results of a detailed study into the effect of sunshading devices on the cladding pressure distribution on a tall building are presented. The study is based on an average-sized tall building and investigates the effect of the 11 most commonly used combinations of three basic sunshading elements. Generally, the sunshading elements tended to reduce the pressures on the side walls, which are most critical in terms of cladding design while the windward wall pressures were increased. However, different combinations of sunshading elements had different effects on the cladding pressure distributions. This paper recommends the incorporation of guidelines regarding the effect of these appurtenances in wind loading codes.