Structural Improvements for Tall Buildings under Wind Loads: Comparative Study

Abstract

The behavior of a very slender building is investigated under wind loads, to satisfy both strength and serviceability (comfort) design criteria. To evaluate the wind effects, wind tunnel testing and structural analysis were conducted, by two different procedures: (i) Pressure Integration Method (PIM), with finite element modeling, and (ii) High Frequency Force Balance (HFFB) technique. The results from both approaches are compared with those obtained from Eurocode 1 and the Italian design codes, emphasizing the need to further deepen the understanding of problems related to wind actions on such type of structure with high geometrical slenderness. In order to reduce wind induced effects, structural and damping solutions are proposed and discussed in a comparative study. These solutions include (1) height reduction, (2) steel belts, (3) tuned mass damper, (4) viscous dampers, and (5) orientation change. Each solution is studied in detail, along with its advantages and limitations, and the reductions in the design loads and structural displacements and acceleration are quantified. The study shows the potential of damping enhancement in the building to mitigate vibrations and reduce design loads and hence provide an optimal balance among resilience, serviceability, and sustainability requirements.

The Modern Trend of Super Slender Residential Buildings

“…Too large lateral displacements can cause damage to the structural and non-structural elements of the building. At the same time, excessive acceleration of vibrations affects the feeling of discomfort for its residents [29]. An important problem in the initial design phase is determining the required structural damping.…”

An integrated damping system for tall buildings

“…As opposed to using typical capacity design approaches in which inelastic deformations are accommodated within specific predefined dissipative structural regions, added damping techniques offer favorable low damage and seismically resilient alternatives. The merits of providing supplementary damping are clearly not limited to seismic design but may apply to other governing dynamic excitations, such as wind‐induced response, particularly for tall buildings …”

“…The merits of providing supplementary damping are clearly not limited to seismic design but may apply to other governing dynamic excitations, such as wind-induced response, particularly for tall buildings. [1] Various types of damping systems have been developed over the years. One of the most common is the tuned mass damper (TMD), due to its relative simplicity and adaptability to be added late in the design stage.…”

Analysis of a Benchmark Building Installed with Tuned Mass Dampers under Wind and Earthquake Loads

“…Multiple TMDs (MTMDs) are more effective when they are distributed along the height of the structure (d-MTMDs); their optimal placement depends on modal properties of the uncontrolled and controlled structures [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Advanced TMD schemes such as particle TMDs and TMDs with inerter are more effective than the optimal TMDs [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Energy-based design of TMDs or increasing the energy absorption of structures is an alternative procedure as explained in references [18][19][20][21].…”