Alongwind dynamic response of slender vertical structures: thunderstorm outflows vs extra-tropical cyclones

Abstract

Abstract This paper studies the maximum dynamic response of a slender vertical structure subjected to thunderstorm outflows and provides a comparison with synoptic events. A reinforced concrete telecommunication tower is considered as case study. The thunderstorm wind speed is modelled as sum of a slowly-varying mean and nonstationary turbulent fluctuations with a vertical nose profile, while for synoptic wind the Italian CNR Guideline is adopted. A reference wind speed with 50 years return period is considered for both the thunderstorm and synoptic events, based statistical analyses carried out on in previous studies. In view of the results outlined for the considered structure, the thunderstorm wind loading, which is currently not accounted by codes and standards, can be more demanding than synoptic events.