Fatigue analysis of roof cladding under simulated wind loading

Several damage mitigation studies have concluded that wind-induced fatigue may be responsible for the extensive damage to roof cladding. This paper presents the application of the recently proposed novel simulation methodology, capable of generating both Gaussian and non-Gaussian wind pressure fluctuations, in the fatigue analysis of roof cladding. After establishing the simulated fatigue characteristics of roof pressures, the total fatigue loading has been estimated by integrating the long-term wind climate with the simulated fatigue characteristics of roof pressures. Simulated results are compared with predictions made by Rayleigh, Gaussian and Weibull models as well as German and British recommendations. The study indicates that non-normality can significantly increase the rate of fatigue damage accumulation, and, if neglected, it can result in non-conservative fatigue life estimates.