How to Design UHPC Curtain Walls for Wind Load Resistance?

The wind load resistance design of UHPC curtain walls is an interdisciplinary field involving wind engineering, structural mechanics, and materials science, requiring systematic calculations based on meteorological data, building geometry, and material properties. In the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center project, Qinglong Group successfully designed a high-performance curtain wall system capable of withstanding extreme typhoons of 70m/s by combining wind tunnel testing with finite element analysis. Scientific wind-resistant design is the safety barrier that protects buildings under extreme weather conditions.

Accurate calculation of wind loads is the foundation of the design. The basic wind pressure must be determined in accordance with the Load Code for the Design of Building Structures (GB50009), taking into account correction factors such as terrain coefficients and wind vibration coefficients. Qinglong uses CFD fluid dynamics software to simulate the wind field around the building and accurately identify areas of wind pressure concentration. In the Nanning Wuxiang China Resources MixC One super high-rise project, we found that the wind pressure coefficient in corner areas reached as high as 2.0. For this reason, we specifically reinforced the connection node design in these areas, tightening the anchor spacing to 400mm.

Analysis of the wind resistance of UHPC panels themselves is critical. A 20mm-thick UHPC panel typically has a flexural bearing capacity of over 15kN·m/m, but its thin-wall characteristics require particular attention to stability issues. Qinglong determines the critical load of panels through buckling analysis and installs stiffeners to improve rigidity when necessary. For large panel designs, we adopt sandwich structures or add transverse struts to enhance wind resistance. The shear capacity of the connection nodes between panels and keels should undergo special verification to ensure effective load transfer.

Dynamic wind-induced vibration effects are a key focus in curtain wall design for super high-rise buildings. Qinglong cooperates with specialized wind engineering laboratories to conduct aeroelastic model tests and analyze the vibration characteristics of curtain walls under wind action. In the Shenzhen Yirui Biotechnology Building project, we avoided resonance with the dominant wind vibration frequency by adjusting the natural vibration frequency of the panels, while using viscoelastic damping materials to reduce the vibration response. All connection points undergo fatigue verification to ensure safety throughout the design service life.

Qinglong Group has established a comprehensive quality control system for wind load design, including a design document review system, a prototype test verification system, and an on-site inspection system. Only by combining theoretical calculations with experimental verification can we create wind-resistant curtain wall systems that are both safe and economical.