Wind-induced dynamic interference effects on different size tall buildings (Part I: Along-wind response)

Based on the high frequency force balance technique, systematical studies of the along wind dynamic interference effects on two and three tall buildings with different sizes were carried out. The interference characteristics and mechanism were analyzed by using artificial neural networks, statistics and spectrum analysis method. The results show that the increased turbulence intensity in the wakes of the upstream buildings has a tendency to increase the adverse effects on the downwind building, especially when the latter was situated near the wake boundary. Two upwind buildings can produce more adverse effects on the downwind building than a single building does. The tested maximum interference factor (IF) of two interfering buildings in exposure category B has an increasing of 79%over that of one building. Shedding vortices from the upstream interfering buildings, especially for a smaller breadth one, can lead to a vortex induced resonance and cause enhanced wind loads on the downstream building at lower wind speed. Generally, due to the fact that the higher turbulence flow disturbing the organized vortices and reducing the strength of the shedding vortices, the IF measured in the exposure category D are much smaller than those in exposure category B. However, the maximum IF is still found up to 2.2 in exposure category D.