Windage

 

Windage:
In the last HGNewsflash I mentioned the effect of wind force on the building, and asked for instances of creaking.  The answers were interesting.  No creaks, but rattling windows, particularly in the kitchens of A apartments.

This, as Project Director Martin tells me, is a lot more relevant than what I had originally in mind.  I was thinking of ships, not a tall building that is firmly pinned to the granite with 100% foundations.  

The original question, from Marc of Studio Pacific, was for information that was important to the design of the windows and infill walling below on the south side of the building, plus the rooftop fan mounting at the top of the riser shaft. 

Why ships?  Back in the day, the pressure of the wind was a welcome force, pushing on the broad sheets of canvas, and getting the ship on its way. The helmsman had to watch for any flutters in the sails, as a change in the wind pressure and direction meant that he had to adjust the tiller or the wheel.  It was a highly skilled job.

The pressure of the wind also affected the hull. If the side of the ship was high, then a gust could force a nasty roll. Nowadays this is a big factor in the sailing of container ships, car boats, any vessel with high sides. Compensating for this must be constant and demanding. In Taipei, at the really terrific Evergreen maritime museum, there is an interactive exhibit where one can try to sail a container ship, not just steering and adjusting for windage, but loading and unloading containers, too.

I found out for certain that I am not qualified to navigate a container ship!

Meetings.

My report on the very useful workshopping on Tuesday morning and then again in the early evening has been stalled by political events.

More very soon.