Acceleration responses of square cross-section tall buildings with aerodynamic treatments

This paper investigates the impact and value of aerodynamic modifications, based on wind engineering considerations, on the building economics of tall structures. Aerodynamically efficient plan shapes have been shown to be an effective means of suppressing wind-induced loads, and hence construction cost, but may come at the cost of reducing both the size and value of saleable/rentable floor area. Therefore, it is not straightforward for engineers to decide on aerodynamic modifications, such as the size and type of corner modifications, with regard to both the structural acceleration responses and the effects on economic rewards. A series of wind tunnel tests were conducted at the CLP Power Wind/Wave Tunnel Facility, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology using the high frequency force balance technique for building models with different corner modifications. The alongwind and crosswind overturning moments of buildings with different sizes of chamfered or recessed corners were measured and acceleration responses at the building top were subsequently computed and compared to international acceleration criteria. For the range of building configurations tested, recessed corners were generally more efficient in reducing wind-induced responses