INTERACTION EFFECTS IN NEIGHBOURING TALL BUILDINGS

ABSTRACT Wind forces used in tall buildings structural design are usually determined on the basis of experimental results obtained for isolated models. The influence of urban environment is then taken into account in the selection of parameters for the vertical wind profile and longitudinal wind turbulence. Neighbouring buildings, however, may exhibit significant interaction, especially with regards to torsional effects. Taking into account that the problem has not yet been considered in the specification of aerodynamic coefficients for current building design, an extensive interaction study between two square prisms was conducted at the LAC, UFRGS. Fifteen relative prism positions were studied, for 24 different orientations of wind incidence, both under uniform as well as shear wind. Mean force, torsional moment coefficients and point of application of resultant mean forces are given. The practical implications of the results so far obtained are also discussed.