This paper is a review of past and current research on the subject of wind loads. Topics discussed are present wind load requirements, the determination of basic design wind velocities, the structure of natural winds, wind-tunnel studies, gusts andthe vibration of structures. Gives recommendations for basic design wind velocities, increase of wind velocity with height,and formulation of shape and gust coefficients. Includes bibliography of 270 references.

Describes main features of full-scale wind load tests made on Royex House, an 18-storey office block in London. Wind tunnel tests were made on a model of the building and the results compared. Concludes that wind load on building is almost entirely on the windward wall, short duration gusts are significant in loading the building. Finds reasonably close agreement between wind tunnel and full scale tests in the matter of overall drag coefficient, but an assessment of the pressure distribution on the surface of a building requires a model with permeable walls.

A comprehensive manual describing theory and techniques of thermography as used to determine insulation defects in buildings. Describes operation of infrared camera and theory of interpretation of thermograms. Provides practical rules for field work and discusses possible sources of error. Concludes with 56 page catalogue containing over 700 typical thermograms, many in colour, illustrating four wall types built a) strictly according to specifications and b) with common structural and insulation defects.

Describes the basis of operation of electron absorption detector and the nature and causes of the erroneous and anomalous responses it may generate. Suggests pulse sampling technique asan alternative method of analysis. This retains the sensitivity of the simple low potential ion chamber method, but is substantially free of errors and anomolous responses. Describes the basis of this improved method and gives an account of the technique for its use in quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Reports a project to assess the value of weatherstripping windows and doors in a 30-year old home. Describes house and retrofitting technique using stainless steel weatherstrips. Air infiltration rates before and after retrofit were measured using three independent methods, tracer gas dilution using SF6,pressurization/depressurization for the whole house and depressurization of individual windows. Finds that air-change-rate for the whole house was reduced by 10-14.7%giving a predicted reduction of 15.5% for a complete retrofit which would result in an energy saving of 4-6%.

Describes the research being undertaken by the British Gas Corporation on adventitious ventilation. Outlines a test house programme which has quantified adventitious areas for both room components and progressively sealed rooms in dwellings of varying age and construction. Describes a model scale approach to natural ventilation aimed at predicting room air movements and ventilation rates. This work is compared with full-scale results and theoretical models.

Discusses the problems of modelling natural wind in a wind tunnel and notes lack of comparison between full-scale and wind tunnel studies. Reviews past work which often shows marked discrepancies in wind tunnel data. Reports results of a study carried out in the field of wind effects on a half full-size single storey model building. Wind profiles over the site were measured and pressure effects experienced by the model recorded.

Gives formula for calculating air-change-rate from decay rate of a tracer gas. Discusses different tracer gases and detecting instruments. Describes portable meter used to measure the concentration of helium. Discusses its performance and describes the experimental procedure.

Examines dependence of measured infiltration rates on wind speed, indoor/ outdoor temperature difference and pressure difference. Gives results in form of graphs of measured values. Calculates air-change-rate from crack length and finds good agreement with measured air-change-rate. Suggests that this is as a result of over-estimating the effect of wind and neglecting stack effect. Finds that stack effect is more important than wind. Comparison of the two houses found that the house shielded by trees and houses had a considerably smaller infiltration rate than that on an open site.

Reports investigation of air infiltration in two residences using helium as a tracer gas. Describes the residences, instrumentation and test procedure. Gives results of decay rate of tracer gas and measured infiltration rates. Summarizes test conditions in tables of temperature, wind speed and direction, internal to external pressure differences and height of the neutral zone. Concludes that in houses with warm-air heating systems a single helium analyzing cell in the return air-stream would provide a satisfactory indication of house infiltration rate.