Distribution and Correlation of Dynamic Wind Loads

Abstract

Types of aeroelastic and elastic wind tunnel models available for measuring fluctuating wind loads on tall buildings are described together with some of their advantages and limitations. A new technique for using numerous pressure transducers to directly measure these fluctuating wind loads is presented. In this technique, analog circuits are used to sum individual pressure measurements in obtaining records which represent loads over segments of the model or over the entire model. Recent tests using the technique are described and sample results are shown. Forces measured with the transducers on a fixed model are used to predict the response of an aeroelastic model of similar shape, for which response measurements have been published in the literature. It is shown that the predicted and measured response agree within the bounds of expected errors up to values of reduced gradient velocity of approximately 15. At reduced gradient velocities in excess of 15, the fixed model predictions underestimate the aeroelastic model results and the slope of the response curve is quite different because motion of the aeroelastic model alters the aerodynamics.