Response of Triangular Prisms in Turbulent Wind

Aeroelastic responses of 1/400 scale model with five masses were measured in a boundary layer wind tunnel to simulate the responses of twin triangular buildings in the turbulent wind at Century City, Los Angeles. Mean and RMS values of base shears, base bending moments, and base torque were measured for various wind speeds and wind directions. Frequency distributions and power spectra were obtained for the response parameters. No adverse effects were observed as a result of the close juxtaposition of two triangular prisms. Dynamic responses in bending and in torsion were predominantly in the fundamental modes of vibration. Base torsional moments were small in comparison with the base bending moments. Average peak values of the bending moments were 3.7 times the RMS values above the mean for time periods equivalent to 1 hr in full scale. The aeroelastic results were combined with the climatic data of Los Angeles to obtain an envelope of the maximum base bending moments with a probability of being exceeded in any year of 1 in 50.