Reliability of Steel Buildings under Winds

The reliability of buildings under winds is evaluated. The uncertainties in terms of the first and second statistical moments are included in the formulation. The dynamic response of the structure is obtained based on a random vibration analysis. In estimating the statistics of the wind load effects, uncertainties in the wind environment parameters and dynamic structural properties are considered. Risks of exceeding various safety and serviceability limit states are evaluated at critical sections of a 25 story steel building. Results indicate that uncertainties in the dynamic structural properties and wind environment parameters contribute significantly to the risk. The risk is also sensitive to the form of the extreme value distribution and errors in sampling and estimation of distribution parameters. The proposed method provides a tool for a comprehensive assessment of reliability of structures under wind loadings.