• Wind and Structures
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.375-389
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• 2014

The high-frequency force-balance (HFFB) technique and its subsequent improvements are reviewed in this paper, including a discussion about nonlinear mode shape corrections, multi-force balance measurements, and using HFFB model to identify aeroelastic parameters. To apply the HFFB technique in engineering practice, various validation studies have been conducted. This paper presents the results from an analytical validation study for a simple building with nonlinear mode shapes, three experimental validation studies for more complicated buildings, and a field measurement comparison for a super-tall building in Hong Kong. The results of these validations confirm that the improved HFFB technique is generally adequate for engineering applications. Some technical limitations of HFFB are also discussed in this paper, especially for higher-order mode response that could be considerable for super tall buildings.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.391-422
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• 2014

The high frequency force balance (HFFB) technique provides convenient measurements of integrated forces on rigid building models in terms of base bending moments and torque and/or base shear forces. These base moments or forces are then used to approximately estimate the generalized forces of building fundamental modes with mode shape corrections. This paper presents an analysis framework for coupled dynamic response of tall buildings with HFFB technique. The empirical mode shape corrections for generalized forces with coupled mode shapes are validated using measurements of synchronous pressures on a square building surface from a wind tunnel. An alternative approach for estimating the mean and background response components directly using HFFB measurements without mode shape corrections is introduced with a discussion on higher mode contributions. The uncertainty in the mode shape corrections and its influence on predicted responses of buildings with both uncoupled and coupled modal shapes are examined. Furthermore, this paper presents a comparison of aerodynamic base moment spectra with available data sets for various tall building configurations. Finally, e-technology aspects in conjunction with HFFB technique such as web-based on-line analysis framework for buildings with uncoupled mode shapes used in NALD (NatHaz Aerodynamic Loads Database) is discussed, which facilitates the use of HFFB data for preliminary design stages of tall buildings subject to wind loads.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.147-161
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• 2005

Two identical tall building models with square cross-sections are experimentally studied in a wind tunnel with high-frequency-force-balance (HFFB) technique to investigate the interference effects on wind loads and dynamic responses of the interfered building. Another wind tunnel test, in which the interfered model is an aeroelastic one, is also carried out to further study the interference effects. The results from the two kinds of tests are compared with each other. Then the influences of turbulence in oncoming wind on dynamic interference factors are analyzed. At last the artificial neural networks method is used to deal with the experimental data and the along-wind and across-wind dynamic interference factor $IF_{dx}$ & $IF_{dy}$ contour maps are obtained, which could be used as references for wind load codes of buildings.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.367-379
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• 2024

Compared with traditional transmission towers, T-shaped angle towers have long cross-arms and are specially used for ultrahigh-voltage direct-current (UHVDC) transmission. Nevertheless, the wind loads of T-shaped towers have not received much attention in previous studies. Consequently, a series of wind tunnel tests on the T-shaped towers featuring cross-arms of varying lengths were conducted using the high-frequency force balance (HFFB) technique. The test results reveal that the T-shaped tower's drag coefficients nearly remain constant at different testing velocities, demonstrating that Reynolds number effects are negligible in the test range of 1.26 × 10⁴-2.30 × 10⁴. The maximum values of the longitudinal base shear and torsion of the T-shaped tower are reached at 15° and 25° of wind incidence, respectively. In the yaw angle, the crosswind coefficients of the tower body are quite small, whereas those of the cross-arms are significant, and as a result, the assumption in some load codes (such as ASCE 74-2020, IEC 60826-2017 and EN 50341-1:2012) that the resultant force direction is the same as the wind direction may be inappropriate for the cross-arm situation. The fitting formulas for the wind load-distribution factors of the tower body and cross-arms are developed, respectively, which would greatly facilitate the determination of the wind loads on T-shaped angle towers.