Response of Structures to Time-Varying Wind Loads

Dynamic responses of a free-standing latticed floodlight tower are determined for time-varying wind forces derived from available wind data and also from simulated wind records. The structure is represented by an idealized lumped-mass system in the analysis. All computations were performed on a digital computer. The computed results compared fairly well with observed responses; these results also showed that, for all practical purposes, effects of modes higher than the second mode may be neglected in the analysis. The wind data simulation procedure permits the following to be included: (1) power-law velocity profile; (2) random fluctuations of velocity and yaw; (3) constant or time-varying mean velocity patterns; and (4) gusts. Data simulated in this manner may be used for dynamic analysis.