Predictions on the dynamic behaviour of an aeroelastic model of a television tower in the boundary layer wind tunnel

Abstract

This paper presents the process of making a set of vibration measurements on a model of a television tower in the boundary layer wind tunnel. The main objective of the study is to predict the dynamic behaviour of the full-scale structure under the turbulent wind action, specific for the Bucharest site, in Romania. Wind tunnel tests were performed on a 1:500 scale aeroelastic model, existing at the Aerodynamics and Wind Engineering Laboratory “Constantin Iamandi” from the Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest. As a result of the vibration measurements on the tower's model, the dynamic behaviour of the structure on the real scale could be determined by using the conditions and relationships of similitude established between the two, model and prototype (full-scale structure). The experimental analysis made in this study may be very important not only in assessing the dynamic response for a building of such importance, during the preliminary stages, but also can be very helpful for the decision makers involved in the design process to choose which is the best solution for such high and slender structures under the action of turbulent wind.