Full-scale monitoring of typhoon effects on super tall buildings

This paper presents the field measurement results of wind characteristics and structural responses of two super tall buildings, Central Plaza Tower (374 m, 78 floors) in Hong Kong and Di Wang Tower (384 m, 78 floors) in Shenzhen during the passage of Typhoon Sally. The field data such as wind speeds, wind directions and acceleration responses were simultaneously and continuously measured from the tall buildings during the typhoon. Detailed analysis of the field data and comparative study were conducted to investigate the characteristics of typhoon-generated wind over the two cities and wind-induced vibrations of the two super tall buildings under typhoon condition. The dynamic characteristics of the buildings were determined on the basis of the field measurements and comparisons with those calculated from the computational models of the buildings were made. The damping ratios of the buildings were estimated and the amplitude-dependent damping characteristics are presented and discussed. Furthermore, the full-scale measurements were compared with the wind tunnel results to evaluate the accuracy of the model test results and the adequacy of the techniques used in wind tunnel tests. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.