Calculation and Analysis of Basic Wind Pressure Value Based on Gumbel Distribution

In order to find out the current basic wind pressure in China, the parameters were estimated based on Gumbel distribution by statistically analyzing the annual maximum values of wind speed of 159 typical cities in China between 1951 and 2008. The basic wind pressure values for 10-year, 50-year and 100-year return periods were calculated based on moment method and Gumbel method, respectively. The distribution function was tested by the Kolmogorov criterion. Finally, the calculation results were compared with those in current design codes and the results of the correlative literature. The results show that basic wind pressure values worked out by Gumbel method are better than those by moment method in most cases when the statistic of the annual maximum values of wind speed is conducted and analyzed by Gumbel distribution. There are significant differences between the basic wind pressure values for 10-year, 50-year and 100-year return periods in Loading Code for Design of Building Structures and the results calculated with the annual maximum values of wind speed in recent decades, which shows that the sample data in Loading Code for Design of Building Structures are relatively insufficient and cannot reflect the present true condition in China. Therefore, basic wind pressure value should be revised accordingly.