Singing buildings: effects and potential causes of wind-induced noise from balcony systems

Abstract

Modern high-rise residential buildings are wrapped in balcony railings of a countless number of styles, shapes, and materials. This study investigates the effects and potential causes of wind-induced noise and vibration caused by balcony railings; a phenomenon that continues to gain significance in urban environments. This study includes field measurements to quantify the extent and nature of wind-induced noise and vibration from various balcony railing designs exposed to a wide variety of meteorological conditions. A detailed examination of potential causes is also undertaken, considering material properties, structural design, and aerodynamic characteristics. Finite element analysis is employed to model and simulate the dynamic response of several different balcony railings, providing insights into the key factors influencing noise generation. The findings of this study offer practical insights into optimizing balcony railing designs to minimize wind-induced noise.