Alongwind Response Estimation: Structural Classification

The problem of dynamic alongwind response of structues to forces induced by atmospheric turbulence is treated in this paper. Starting from the classical formulation, the study suggests at first two structural standard models, called, respectively, point-like and three-dimensional, by which many actual structures can be idealized. Furthermore, a rigidity criterion is proposed to distinguish a priori between rigid structures, only requiring a quasistatic analysis, and flexible structures, for which a dynamic analysis is necessary. The remarkable simplicity and the very high precision of the criterion herein proposed suggest a good predisposition of this methodology to be introduced into codes and recommendations for the estimation of wind effects on structures.