Wind tunnel investigation of correlation and coherence of wind loading on generic tall twin buildings in close proximity

Abstract

A popular modern architectural form for tall buildings is two (or more) towers which are structurally linked through such features as a shared podium or sky-bridges. The fundamental features of the wind loading and the structural links of such buildings can be studied by measuring load components on the individual unlinked towers along with their correlations. This paper describes application of dual high frequency force balance (DHFFB) in a wind tunnel study of the base wind loading exerted on generic tall twin buildings in close proximity. Light models of two identical generic tall buildings of square plan were mounted on DHFFB and the base wind loading exerted on the buildings was simultaneously acquired. The effects of the relative positions of the buildings on the correlations and coherences involving loading components on each building and on the two buildings were investigated. For some relative positions, the effects of the building proximity on the wind loading were significant and the loading was markedly different from that exerted on single buildings. In addition, the correlations between the loadings on the two buildings were high. These effects have potential to significantly impact, for example, the modally-coupled resonant responses of the buildings to the aerodynamic excitations. The presented results were not meant to be recommended for direct application in wind resistant design of tall twin buildings. They were intended to show that wind loading on tall buildings in close proximity is significantly different from that on single buildings and that it can be conveniently mapped using DHFFB.