The past, present and future of high-frequency balance testing

Less than 30 years ago a new method was introduced in wind-tunnel testing of tall buildings, known variously as the High-Frequency Base Balance or High-Frequency Force Balance, which revolutionized the determination of design wind loads using model studies. The method is reviewed in hindsight, in the perspective of the present, and with a crystal ball to speculate on future developments. These viewpoints focus on various technical issues that have been solved, are being solved, and need to be solved. The intent is to assist the uninitiated develop appreciation for the technology involved, to identify various pitfalls awaiting those who embark in the method, and to identify areas of need so that practicing design engineers—the users of such studies—can appreciate the limitations and collaborate on future advances while promoting improved communication between executor and user.