Frequency dependent wind loads on rectangular cylinders

Abstract

A general description of wind loads exerted on structures with rectangular cross sections should consider along wind, across wind and torsional loads caused by various simualtaneously acting wind load mechanisms. Hence, a linear black box model is applied to identify corresponding load coefficients in the frequency domain from a series of wind tunnel tests. The results indicate on one hand a significant frequency dependence of these load coefficients. On the other hand, indications for the presence of non-linear mechanisms in the transformation of wind velocities to loads are identified from the results of the present study.