Wind effects on the world's tallest reinforced concrete building

Abstract

Field measurements of wind effects on the world's tallest reinforced concrete building (CITIC Plaza, 391 m high) located in Guangzhou were made during Typhoon Damrey in 2005. The field-measured data such as wind speed, wind direction and acceleration responses were simultaneously and continuously measured from the super-tall building during the typhoon. Detailed analysis of the field data was conducted to investigate the wind characteristics and wind-induced vibration of the high-rise structure. Based on the measured acceleration data, amplitude-dependent damping ratios of the building were estimated by the random decrement method. Dynamic characteristics obtained from the field measurements were compared with those calculated from the finite-element model of the structure. The serviceability of the tall building was then analysed based on the field measured results and design codes. Finally, a time–frequency analysis was carried out by the Hilbert–Huang technique to investigate the non-stationary features of the measured wind speed and acceleration response signals. The research output is expected to be of considerable interest and practical use to professionals and researchers involved in the design of super-tall buildings.