Aerodynamics of Nanjing Tower:

Numerical simulations and experimental measurements of the aerodynamics of the Nanjing Tower have been conducted. The tower consists of three legs of rectangular cross section that support an observation deck at 180 m elevation, a circular shaft which supports another deck at 240 m, and a structure of square cross section extending to the towerÕs highest point of 310 m. Aerodynamic forces on the tower were numerically derived by dividing the tower into various basic shapes and synthesizing available experimental data for these shapes into mode-generaliz-ed forces — an aerodynamic building block approach. A boundary layer wind tunnel experiment was also conducted using a high-frequency force balance and a lightweight tower model. Similar values resulted from these numerical and experimental studies. The tower response in both alongwind and acrosswind directions was evaluated. ( 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. 1