• Wind and Structures
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.341-354
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• 2013

This paper presents an experimental investigation concerning the peak amplitudes of oscillation of a square prism due to Vortex-Induced-Vibrations (VIV) as a function of the mass damping parameter $m^*{\zeta}$ (the so called Griffin--plot); $m^*$ and ${\zeta}$ being, respectively, the non-dimensional mass and the mechanical (structural) damping ratio. With this purpose in mind, an electromagnetic actuator has been employed to provide controlled damping. During the experiments the mass--damping parameter was in the range 0.15 < $m^*{\zeta}$ < 2.4. Experiments show that there is a value of $m^*{\zeta}$ below which VIV appears combined with galloping and the prism oscillation increases monotonically with the incoming flow velocity. For $m^*{\zeta}$ >0.3 the present experiments show a well-defined VIV phenomenon and, consequently, a Griffin-plot can be defined.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제10권5호
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• pp.463-479
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• 2007

A series of wind tunnel sectional model dynamic tests of a twin-deck bridge were conducted at the CLP Power Wind/Wave Tunnel Facility (WWTF) of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) to investigate the effects of gap-width on the self-excited vibrations and the dynamic and aerodynamic characteristics of the bridge. Five 2.9 m long models with different gap-widths were fabricated and suspended in the wind tunnel to simulate a two-degrees-of-freedom (2DOF) bridge dynamic system, free to vibrate in both vertical and torsional directions. The mass, vertical frequency, and the torsional-to-vertical frequency ratio of the 2DOF systems were fixed to emphasize the effects of gap-width. A free-vibration test methodology was employed and the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) was utilized to extract the eight flutter derivatives and the modal parameters from the coupled free-decay responses. The results of the zero gap-width configuration were in reasonable agreement with the theoretical values for an ideal thin flat plate in smooth flow and the published results of models with similar cross-sections, thus validating the experimental and analytical techniques utilized in this study. The methodology was further verified by the comparison between the measured and predicted free-decay responses. A comparison of results for different gap-widths revealed that variations of the gap-width mainly affect the torsional damping property, and that the configurations with greater gap-widths show a higher torsional damping ratio and hence stronger aerodynamic stability of the bridge.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.619-629
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• 2020

Solar towers, which often has a large aspect ratio and low fundamental natural frequency, were extremely prone to large amplitude of wind-induced vibrations, especially Vortex-Induced Vibration (VIV). A tiny Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) with conveniently adjustable eddy current damping was specially designed and manufactured for elastic wind tunnel tests of a solar tower. A series of numerical simulations by using the COMSOL software were conducted to determine three key parameters, including the thickness of the back iron plate and the conductive plate (T_b and T_c), the distance between the magnet and the conductive plate (T_d). Based on the results of numerical simulations, a tiny TMD was manufactured and its structural parameters were experimentally identified. The optimized values of the tiny TMD can be conveniently realized. The tiny TMD was installed at the top of the elastic test model of a 243-meter-high solar tower, and a series of wind tunnel tests were carried out to examine the effectiveness of the TMD in suppressing wind-induced responses of the test model. The results showed that the wind-induced responses could be obviously reduced by the TMD, especially in the cross-wind direction. The cross-wind RMS and peak responses at the critical wind velocity can be reduced by about 86% and 75%, respectively. However, the maximum reduction of the responses at the design wind velocity is about 45%, obviously less than that at the critical wind velocity.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.233-247
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• 2007

The insertion of steel braces has become a common technique to limit the deformability of steel framed buildings subjected to wind loads. However, when this technique is inadequate to keep floor accelerations within acceptable levels of human comfort, dampers placed in series with the steel braces can be adopted. To check the effectiveness of braces equipped with viscoelastic (VEDs) or friction dampers (FRDs), a numerical investigation is carried out focusing attention on a three-bay fifteen-storey steel framed building with K-braces. More precisely, three alternative structural solutions are examined for the purpose of controlling wind-induced vibrations: the insertion of additional diagonal braces; the insertion of additional diagonal braces equipped with dampers; the insertion of both additional diagonal braces and dampers supported by the existing K-braces. Additional braces and dampers are designed according to a simplified procedure based on a proportional stiffness criterion. A dynamic analysis is carried out in the time domain using a step-by-step initial-stress-like iterative procedure. Along-wind loads are considered at each storey assuming the time histories of the wind velocity, for a return period $T_r=5$ years, according to an equivalent wind spectrum technique. The behaviour of the structural members, except dampers, is assumed linear elastic. A VED and an FRD are idealized by a six-element generalized model and a bilinear (rigid-plastic) model, respectively. The results show that the structure with damped additional braces can be considered, among those examined, the most effective to control vibrations due to wind, particularly the floor accelerations. Moreover, once the stiffness of the additional braces is selected, the VEDs are slightly more efficient than the FRDs, because they, unlike the FRDs, dissipate energy also for small amplitude vibrations.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.107-120
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• 2005

The quasi-steady approaches to simulate the wind induced vibrations of inclined cables, especially on the rain-wind induced vibration, have been tried by many researchers. However, the steady wind force coefficients used in those methods include only the effects of water rivulet, but not the axial flow effects. The problem is the direct application of the conventional techniques to the inclined cable aerodynamics. Therefore, in this study, the method to implement the axial flow effects in the quasi-steady theory is considered and its applicability to the inclined cable aerodynamics is investigated. Then, it becomes clear that the perforated splitter plate in the wake of non-yawed circular cylinder can include the effects of axial flow in the steady wind force coefficients for inclined cables to a certain extent. Using the lateral force coefficients measured in this study, the quasi-steady theory may explain the wind induced instabilities of the inclined cables only in the relatively high reduced wind velocity region. When the Scruton number is less than around 40, the high speed vortex-induced vibration occurs around the onset wind velocity region of the galloping, and then, the quasi-steady approach cannot be applied for estimating the response of wind-induced vibration of inclined cable.

• 국제초고층학회논문집
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.347-362
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• 2022

Current vibration serviceability assessment criteria for wind-induced vibrations in tall buildings are based largely on human 'perception' thresholds which are shown not to be directly translatable to human 'acceptability' of vibrations. There is also a considerable debate about both the metrics and criteria for vibration acceptability, such as frequency of occurrence or peak vs mean vibration, and how these might vary with the nature of the vibration. Furthermore, the design criteria are necessarily simplified for ease of application so cannot account for a range of environmental, situational and human factors that may enhance or diminish the impact of vibrations on serviceability. The dual-site VSimulators facility was created specifically to provide an experimental platform to address gaps in understanding of human response to building vibration. This paper considers how VSimulators can be used to inform general design guidance and support design of specific buildings for habitability, in terms of vibration, which allow engineers and clients to make informed decisions with regard to sustainable design, in terms of energy and financial cost. This paper first provides a brief overview of current vibration serviceability assessment guidelines, and the current understanding and limitations of occupants' acceptability of wind-induced motion in tall buildings. It then describes how the dual-site VSimulators facility at the Universities of Bath and Exeter can be used to assess the effects of motion and environment on human comfort, wellbeing and productivity with examples of how the facility capabilities have been used to provide new, human experience based experimental research approaches.

• 한국강구조학회 논문집
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.301-311
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• 2001

내풍설계에 있어서, 아스펙트비가 6정도인 초고층 건물의 각주형 단면의 바람에 의한 공력 불안정 진동 또는 갤로핑 진동이 발생할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 등류에서 아스펙트비 6정도이고 변장비가 1/4간격으로 1에서 2까지의 초고층 건물의 각주형 단면에대한 공력불안정 진동과 갤로핑 진동에 대해 실험적으로 고찰하였다. 실험 결과, 등류시 코너 컷이 없는 경우가 코너 컷을 가진 초고층 건물의 각주형 단면에 비해 공력 불안정 진동이 커지는 경향이 있으며, 또한 갤로핑 진동도 나타났다. 따라서, 코너 컷에 의해 각주형 초고층 건물에서의 공력 불안정 진동은 효과적으로 저감되었다.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제20권6호
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• pp.793-810
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• 2015

Tests were conducted at the Florida International University (FIU) Wall of Wind (WOW) to investigate the susceptibility of Variable Message Signs (VMS) to wind induced vibrations due to vortex shedding and galloping instability. Large scale VMS models were tested in turbulence representative of the high frequency end of the spectrum in a simulated suburban atmospheric boundary layer. Data was measured for the $0^{\circ}$ and $45^{\circ}$ horizontal wind approach directions and vertical attack angles ranging from $-4.5^{\circ}$ to $+4.5^{\circ}$. Analysis of the power spectrum of the fluctuating lift indicated that vertical vortex oscillations could be significant for VMS with a large depth ratio attached to a structure with a low natural frequency. Analysis of the galloping test data indicated that VMS with large depth ratios, greater than about 0.5, and low natural frequency could also be subject to galloping instability.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.615-639
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• 2016

Although the underlying mechanism of rain-wind induced vibrations (RWIVs) of stay cables has not been fully understood, some countermeasures have been successfully applied to mitigating this kind of vibration. Among these, installing dampers near the bridge deck was widely adopted, and several field observations have shown its effectiveness. In this study, the effectiveness of dampers to RWIVs of stay cables is numerically investigated comprehensively by means of finite difference method (FDM). Based on the free vibration analysis of a taut string, it is found that the 3-points triangle scheme, which can be easily implemented in FDM, can offer an excellent approximation of the concentrated damping coefficient (expressed as a Dirac delta function) at the location where the damper is installed. Then, free vibration analysis of a 3-D continuous stay cable attached with two dampers is carried out to study the relationship of modal damping ratio and damping coefficient of the dampers. The effects of orientation of the dampers and cable sag on the modal damping ratio are investigated in detail. Finally, the RWIV response of a 3-D continuous stay cable attached with two dampers is examined. The results indicate that 0.5% of damping ratio is sufficient to reduce the RWIV vibration of the Cable A20 on the No.2 Nanjing Bridge over Yangtze River.

• Wind and Structures
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.31-45
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• 2024

This paper examines the flow characteristics around an inclined prism with a U-shaped cross-section ("U-profile") and investigates the connection between the flow and flow-induced vibrations. The study employs a combined approach that involves wind tunnel experiments and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using an unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence model. Distinct vortex formation patterns are observed in the flow field surrounding the stationary inclined profile. When the cavity of the profile faces away from the incoming flow, large vortices develop behind the profile. Conversely, when the cavity is oriented towards the oncoming flow, these vortices form within the cavity. Notably, due to the slow movement of these large vortices through the cavity, the frequency at which vortices are shed in the negative inclination case is lower compared to the positive inclination, where they form in the wake. Wind tunnel experiments reveal an intermittent transition between the two vortex formation patterns at zero inclination. Large vortices sporadically emerge both in the cavity and behind the profile. The simulation results demonstrate that when these large vortices occur at a frequency close to the structure's natural frequency, they induce prominent pitch vibrations. This phenomenon is also sought after and presented in coupled vibration experiments. Additionally, the simulations indicate that when the natural frequency of the structure is considerably lower than the vortex shedding frequency, this type of vibration can be observed.