Wind Tunnel Model Tests of a High Building of Unusual Shape

The problems of wind loads on high buildings of unconventional shape are discussed as a function of building shape and characteristics of the natural wind. The new Toronto City Hall is used to demonstrate how wind loads, their distribution and fluctuation can create critical structural problems. The natural wind loads were obtained from wind tunnel tests on a City Hall model. These tests are described in enough detail to familiarize the structural engineer with the value and potential as well as the shortcomings of wind tunnel testing of buildings.

G.K. Korbacher and N. Seethaler