Field measurement and numerical analysis on wind-induced performance of modular structure with concrete cores

Abstract

Due to its remarkable features including faster and safer construction, superior quality, better management, less labor demand and virtually no resource wastage, modular steel construction (MSC) has shown strong advantages in the mid-to-high-rise buildings of the cities with highly densely population. The majority of such cities are located in coastal regions, where the wind action cannot be ignored. However, the structural response of MSC under strong wind has not been fully understood, especially, even no measured data is reported. In this study, a typical high-rise hybrid modular system, Modular steel construction with reinforced concrete cores (MSC-RCC), was taken as a target case, of which the wind-induced performance was obtained through field measurement. Based on the measured data, the wind field simulation and finite element model established for wind response analysis were verified respectively. Then the wind-induced performance of MSC-RCC under a simulated wind field of typhoon Kammuri was analyzed, and compared with the traditional steel frame concrete core tube structure. It is proved that that the comfort of MSC-RCC can fulfil the requirements of relevant design specifications, but can be further enhanced. Thereafter, a sector-cylinder lead viscoelastic damper (SCLVD) was designed, and the damping effect of SCLVD was studied. It is indicated that the SCLVD has an excellent energy dissipation capacity, which can improve the stiffness and energy dissipation performance of beam-column joints, and has remarkable damping effect for the acceleration and displacement.