• Wind and Structures
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.61-78
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• 2005

This paper presents results from an investigation of the structural behaviour of a very slender 90 m high steel chimney erected at V$\ddot{a}$xj$\ddot{o}$ in southern Sweden in 1995. The chimney is equipped with a mechanical friction-type damper at the top. Due to a mistake during erection and installation of the chimney the transport fixings of the damper were not released properly and the chimney developed extensive oscillations in the very first period of service. This caused a great number of fatigue cracks to occur within a few months of service. After the functioning of the damper had been restored and the fatigue cracks were repaired an extensive program was initiated in 1996 to monitor the structural behaviour of the chimney under wind loading. In the investigation data were collected for more than six years of continuous measurements and regular observations of the chimney. The data obtained have some general relevance with respect to wind data, behaviour of a slender structure under wind loading, and the effect of a mechanical damper. Also some theoretical studies were performed as part of the investigation of the chimney.