A QUICK ZONING METHOD FOR WIND PRESSURE COEFFICIENTS BASED ON K-MEANS CLUSTERING

A quick zoning method for the wind pressure coefficient has been proposed, which is based on K-means clustering. K-means clustering has its limitations in wind pressure coefficient partition applications, because the method requires k values (cluster numbers) in advance. Two measures have been taken to improve the method. One measure limits the k value at first to realize fast clustering under all k values. Another measure is to use the validity index to determine the optimal k value. Flat roof and saddle roof have been chosen as the example conditions to illustrate and verify this zoning method for the wind pressure. The results show that the improved method can properly develop wind pressure coefficient zoning for roofs of various geometries in a variety of conditions.