Wind loads on an ancient church spire

Abstract Wind tunnel tests have been carried out on models of an ancient church spire which had deteriorated. Dynamic pressures on the surface of the octagonal spire were measured on two models, 1:250 scaled full model of the church with turbulent boundary layer simulation, 1:50 scaled spire sectional model exposed to uniform turbulent flow. Total base overturning moment of the spire was also measured by an aerodynamic balance. The results were used for the reinforcement calculations for the church spire during restoration.