Wind flows and induced pressure on buildings. Application to solar collectors. Ecoulements et charges induits par le vent sur les batiments. Application aux capteurs solaires.

The study, carried out in an atmospheric wind tunnel (reproduction of natural wind conditions, particularly turbulence), quantifies wind flows around built-up obstacles in their realistic location context, and the associated pressure fields. For various types of buildings (detached house, block of flats), the article presents in illustrated form the chart of these flows and pressures in general (mean values, standard deviations, extreme values), but deals more specifically with the wind resistance of solar collectors.