Dynamic measurements on tall buildings and structures

Abstract

Techniques and instrumentation currently employed to measure the dynamic properties of tall buildings and structures and their responses in strong winds are presented. The merits and limitations of these techniques are discussed. Natural frequencies of vibration, deflected mode shapes and damping values can be determined reliably through dynamic measurements on actual buildings and these results provide invaluable validations of numerical modelling techniques and generalised prediction formulae. The improved accuracy of prediction processes, coupled with a better understanding of building performance in strong minds, through long-term building monitoring, can lead to significant cost savings in the wind-resistant design and construction of tall buildings