Full-scale measurements of wind effects on Guangzhou West Tower

Field measurements of wind characteristics and wind effects on Guangzhou West Tower (GZWT) were conducted when Typhoon Megi affected this super tall building on October 22, 2010. Based on the measured wind data such as wind speed and wind direction, statistical analysis of wind characteristics including turbulence intensity, gust factor, power spectral density of wind speed at about 450 m height in urban area was first conducted. The simultaneously measured wind-induced acceleration was adopted to evaluate the dynamic characteristic and wind effect on this super tall building. The damping ratio with amplitude-dependent behavior was found by the random decrement method, and the serviceability performance level for different return period was estimated for this tall building. The wind-induced pressure on the building surface atop the building was investigated to evaluate the characteristic of the measured local wind pressure. Finally, the measured wind-induced acceleration and wind pressure were further compared with those obtained from the wind tunnel test to evaluate the accuracy of the model test results. The research output is expected to be of considerable interest and practical use to professionals and researchers involved in the design of super-tall buildings.

► This paper presents results of the field measurements of wind effects on GZWT during Typhoon Megi.
► The wind characteristics at about 450 m height in urban area are analyzed during the typhoon.
► Wind induced responses of the building are evaluated and compared with the wind tunnel test results.
► The research output is interest and practical use to the design of super-tall buildings.