The effect of uncertainties in wind load estimation on reliability assessments

Abstract The uncertainties of wind loads exerted on structures and their response are analyzed in view of the contribution of each input parameter to the total load and response uncertainty estimate. It is concluded, that for flexible structures uncertainties in the prediction of the standard deviation of the fluctuating velocity components and lateral force coefficients as well as in damping values are most significant. Therefore an increase in the confidence of these parameters would allow a considerable decrease in the design wind loads.