Like all large buildings, offices and condominiums can benefit from RWDI's capabilities applied to various design issues.

Wind Loading

Major structures require accurate information for local wind loads, suctions or pressures to assist in the design of roofs and curtain-wall systems, soffits and skylights as well as building intakes, exhausts, and doorways.

Wind-Induced Vibration

Tall buildings require detailed wind load distributions for use in structural design, for predicting wind-induced motions and structural loads. Aeroelastic instabilities must be identified and solutions to vibration problems developed.

Pedestrian Comfort

Large buildings can create uncomfortable and unsafe wind conditions at doorways, on pedestrian routes, in plazas and in recreation areas. Wind breaks, screens and even minor modifications to the design of a structure can improve wind conditions.

Sun / Shade / Glare

Shadows from buildings are potential impacts on comfort levels and aesthetics while glare from building finishes can affect traffic or pilots.

Noise / Acoustics / Vibration

External environmental noise, acoustics in auditoriums, conference rooms and atriums, and mechanical ambient noise carried through walls, floors, and ceilings, all have an impact on the comfortable use of a building by occupants.

Air Quality/Ventilation

Air quality impacts from outdoor sources such as parking facilities, local traffic, loading docks, and diesel generators must be taken into account when designing fresh air intakes. Correct design of interior ventilation systems in terms of temperature and air flow is important for economic operation of air conditioning and heating systems. Smoke control, in the event of a fire, is also an important design consideration.

Snow and Ice

In winter climates, accumulations of snow and ice on roofs or snowdrifts around buildings can lead to structural failures or blocked access or increased maintenance. Studies designed to identify such impacts can assist designers in mitigating these conditions.