Effect of Height Variation of Closely Located Interfering Buildings on Wind Loads on Tall Buildings

This research paper investigates the modification of wind loads on a tall building (principal building) having rectangular cross-sectional shape due to the variation in height of two closely located interfering buildings having a similar plan shape. The models of the three buildings (principal and interfering buildings) are placed in a U shape plan for the study. The heights of interfering building models are varied in two different manners: (1). Height of both the interfering building models is reduced simultaneously (2). Height of only one of the interfering building model is reduced. Wind tunnel experiments are undertaken using five component force balance load cell and the results are reported in the form of X-Y plots. The interference effect causes increase in the torsional moment as height difference of the two interfering buildings increase, also shielding effect causes reduction in the along wind force as height of the interfering buildings increases. Value of torsion on the principal building is observed to be as high as 33 times of that in the isolated case. However, a reduction is high as 69 percent is observed in the force in along wind direction due to shielding.