Dynamics of Wind Sensitive Structures

The current state-of-the-art in the design of tall buildings for wind effects is based on scale model tests of buildings in wind tunnels in conjunction with computational methods. However, full-scale testing of buildings is necessary to evaluate the performance of dynamically sensitive structures and assure that the design assumptions and predictions are realized in the actual structure. The analysis of full-scale data from the Chicago Full-Scale Monitoring Project allows the performance of tall buildings under wind to be evaluated against current design tools. The dynamic characteristics under stationary and non-stationary wind conditions are identified using recently developed system identification techniques, including wavelet-based techniques augmented with singular value decomposition.

Modern tall buildings are expected to meet wind-induced serviceability and habitability criteria to preserve the integrity of building cladding system and ensure occupant comfort due to building motion. Uncertainties associated with damping, wind speed, and other variables are quantified and propagated to develop a probabilistic framework to evaluate a building's habitability performance, to assess occupant comfort, and to develop recommendations for load factors used in building standards for serviceability and strength considerations.

Globalization of the construction industry and the development of unified international codes and standards emphasize the need to better understand the underlying differences between international wind loading standards. Previous studies have found that varying definitions of wind field characteristics were the primary contributors to the scatter in predicted response quantities. Therefore, a comprehensive comparison of the wind loads and their effects on tall buildings is conducted utilizing five major international codes and standards. Finally, in order to reduce the amount of damage sustained after extreme events, the response of tall buildings is examined through investigations made after such events. Field reconnaissance surveys indicate that the primary mode of failure was missile impact from wind-borne debris.

Through the investigation of full-scale measurements, it is the goal of this study focused on examining the uncertainty associated with defining the response of structures under habitability, serviceability, and survivability wind events to ensure human comfort, design strength, and robust building envelopes under service and extreme wind events.