Examining wind-induced floor accelerations in an unconventionally shaped, high-rise building for the design of "smart" screen walls

This paper describes the results of a numerical and experimental study on the wind-induced effects relevant to the design of specialized nonstructural elements in an unconventionally shaped high-rise building. The purpose was to estimate the wind-induced floor acceleration and to examine the lateral drift ratio for the design of nonstructural elements and the occupants' comfort. Nonstructural elements consist of “smart” screen walls, anchored through stiff, steel connection details to the floor. Wind tunnel measurements of floor accelerations were derived from an aeroelastic model of the high-rise building, replicating the fundamental mode response characteristics of the prototype structure. The model's dynamical properties were inferred from a pilot experiment conducted on a shaking table; estimated natural frequencies and modal damping ratios were used to re-scale accelerations measured in wind tunnel. The model's dynamic properties, influenced by wind loads, were later reconstructed through the Random Decrement Technique (RDT). Ranges of acceptability for accelerations and lateral inter-story drift are provided and examined in the context of nonstructural element design.