Observational study of typhoon effects on the oval-shaped 330 m high Zhuhai Center Tower

Abstract

This paper investigates typhoon-induced wind effects on a skyscraper based on 72-h-long field measurement records. In this large-scale monitoring study, the wind field characteristics surrounding the monitored building are first investigated using climate records collected by a moveable laser radar wind profiler that was temporarily fixed next to the tall building during Typhoon Cempaka, which could avoid adverse impacts caused by interference at the building top or the terrain effects through measurements from an anemometer atop the building or a meteorological observation tower that could be far away from the monitored building. Subsequently, the wind-excited cladding pressures and structural responses of the monitored skyscrapers are analysed according to measurements by pressure transducers, accelerometers and velocimeters, and the pressure distribution characteristics and structural dynamic properties are estimated by spectral analysis and the random decrement technique. Ultimately, provided the oval-shaped appearance and spiral configuration of the Zhuhai Center Tower, the results derived in this study are compared with those of other supertall buildings in terms of several aspects of concern, including the distribution features of wind pressures and acceleration response and amplitude-dependent characteristics of modal parameters, which would further the understanding of wind effects on tall buildings with various cross sections and building shapes. This study aims to provide comprehensive reference information for the wind-resistant design of high-rise buildings in tropical cyclone-prone regions.