Components of wind -tunnel analysis using force balance test data

Abstract

Since its development in the early 1980's the force balance technique has become a standard method in the efficient determination of structural loads and responses. Its usefulness lies in the simplicity of the physical model, the relatively short records required from the wind tunnel testing and its versatility in the use of the data for different sets of dynamic properties. Its major advantage has been the ability to provide results in a timely manner, assisting the structural engineer to fine-tune their building at an early stage of the structural development. The analysis of the wind tunnel data has evolved from the simple un-coupled system to sophisticated methods that include the correction for non-linear mode shapes, the handling of complex geometry and the handling of simultaneous measurements on multiple force balances for a building group. This paper will review some of the components in the force balance data analysis both in historical perspective and in its current advancement. The basic formulation of the force balance methodology in both frequency and time domains will be presented. This includes all coupling effects and allows the determination of the resultant quantities such as resultant accelerations, as well as various load effects that generally were not considered in earlier force balance analyses. Using a building model test carried out in the wind tunnel as an example case study, the effects of various simplifications and omissions are discussed.