Comfort assessment of wind induced vibrations for slender structures by field monitoring and numerical analysis

Abstract

Slender structures often lead to vibration discomfort for occupants when exposed to wind forces. This study proposes an innovative method for assessing comfort against wind-induced vibrations for slender structures that combines field monitoring, numerical simulations, codal provisions, and Chang's comfort chart. The method utilizes ambient vibration tests (AVT) and operational modal analysis (OMA) to create a reliable finite element (FE) model for the structure. It involves analyzing the time history and calculating the peak acceleration values at various points within the structure using synthetic ambient wind forces derived from superposing waves. The comfort assessment compares peak acceleration values estimated from time history analysis against those provided in Chang's chart for different comfort levels. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through a case study on a tall, slender reinforced concrete (RC) staircase structure, confirming its suitability for practical applications.