Full Paper

Proc. of Int. Conf. on Advances in Civil Engineering 2012

Behaviour of R.C.C. Tall Buildings Having Different

Shapes Subjected to Wind Load
Prof. Sarita Singla1, Taranjeet Kaur2, Megha Kalra3 and Sanket Sharma4
1
PEC University of Technology/Civil Engineering Department, Chandigarh, India
Email:ssaritasingla@yahoo.com
2
Baddi University/Civil Engineering Department, Baddi(HP), India
Email: taran_madaan@yahoo.co.in
3
PEC University of Technology/Civil Engineering Department, Chandigarh, India
Email: Duskmk@gmail.com
4
PEC University of Technology/Civil Engineering Department, Chandigarh, India
Email: sanket414@gmail.com

AbstractBuildings are defined as structures utilized by the
people as shelter for living, working or storage. As now a days
there is shortage of land for building, the vertical construction
is given due importance. A designer is interested in storey
wise horizontal forces for analysis and design of structural
frames. Hence, emphasis is given to compute the storey wise
lateral forces due to wind on building. In the present study, a
35 storeyed building of different shapes- Square, Hexagonal
and Octagonal, having equal plan area and equal stiffness of
the columns has been analysed. Based upon the study, it is
concluded that shape of the structure plays an important role
in resisting wind loads. Octagonal shaped building performed
the best followed by hexagonal shaped and square shaped
building.
Index Termswind load, tall building, gust factor, square,
hexagonal, octagonal
I. INTRODUCTION
Tall buildings are critically affected by wind loads. Wind
exerts forces and moments on the structure and its cladding
and also it distributes the air in and around the building mainly
termed as wind pressure. Sometimes because of unpredictable
nature of wind it takes so devastating form that it can upset
the internal ventilation system when it passes into the
building. For these reasons the study of air flow is becoming
integral with the planning of a building and its environment.
Tall buildings are flexible and are susceptible to vibrate at
high wind speeds in all the three directions (x, y, and z) and
even the building codes do not incorporate the expected
maximum wind speed for the life of the building and does not
consider the high local suctions which cause the first damage.
Due to all these facts the wind load estimation for tall
buildings are very much important.
A. Importance of Wind Loads on the Tall Buildings
Wind is a phenomenon of great complexity because of
many flow situations arising from the interaction of wind
with structures. Wind is composed of multitude of eddies of
varying sizes and rotational characteristics carried along in a
general stream of air moving relative to the earths surface.
These eddies give wind its gusty or turbulent character. The
gustiness of strong winds in the lower levels of the
atmosphere largely arises from interaction with surface
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features. The average wind speed over a time period of the
order of ten minutes or more tends to increase with height,
while the gustiness tends to decrease with height. (Fig. 1)
Fig. 1. Generation of eddies
B. Effects of wind load
A mean wind force acts on a building. This mean wind
force is derived from the mean wind speed and the fluctuating
wind force produced by the fluctuating flow field. The effect
of the fluctuating wind force on the building or part thereof
depends not only on the characteristics of the fluctuating
wind force but also on the size and vibration characteristics
of the building or part thereof. Therefore, in order to estimate
the design wind load, it is necessary to evaluate the
characteristics of fluctuating wind forces and the dynamic
characteristics of the building.
The factors generally considered in determining the
fluctuating wind force are:
1) Wind turbulence (temporal and spatial fluctuation of
wind
2) Vortex generation in wake of building
3) Interaction between building vibration and surrounding
air flow
For most buildings, the effect of fluctuating wind force
generated by wind turbulence is predominant. In this case,
horizontal wind load on structural frames in the along-wind
direction is important. However, for relatively flexible
buildings with a large aspect ratio, horizontal wind loads on
structural frames in the across-wind and torsional directions
should not be ignored.
C. Hourly Mean Wind Speed (VZ)
The basic wind speed (Vz) for any site shall be obtained
from Fig 1(IS: 875(Part 3)-1987) and shall be modified to include
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Proc. of Int. Conf. on Advances in Civil Engineering 2012

the following effects to get design wind velocity at any height
(Vz) for the chosen structure:
a) Risk level;
b) Terrain roughness, height and size of structure; and
c) Local topography.
Vz = Vb k1.k2.k3
Vz= hourly mean wind speed in m/s, at height z
Vb = regional basic wind speed in m/s
k1 = probability factor (risk coefficient)(Clause 5.3.1 of IS:
875(Part 3)-1987)[4]
k2 = Terrain and height factor
(Clause 5.3.2 of IS: 875(Part 3)-1987)
k3 = topography factor (Clause 5.3.3 of IS: 875(Part 3)-1987)
Isyumov[1]overviews the action of wind on tall buildings
and structures with emphasis on the overall wind-induced
structural loads and responses also discussed the local wind
pressures on components of the exterior envelope and the
effects of buildings on winds in pedestrian areas.Ahsan
Kareem[2] pays tribute to the father of wind engineering,
Jack E. Cermak, for his many valuable and pioneering
contributions to the subject, followed by a reflection on the
recent developments in wind effects on structures and an
outlook for the future. This discussion encompasses
modeling of wind field; structural aerodynamics;
computational methods; dynamics of long -period structures;
model to full-scale monitoring; codes/standards and design
tools; damping and motion control devices.
Davenport [3] attempts to trace the involution of a
satisfactory to the loading of structures by gusts. It is
suggested that a statistical approach based on the concepts
of the stationary random series appears to offer a promising
solution. Some experiments to determine the aerodynamic
response of structures to fluctuating turbulent flow are
described. Example are given of the application statistical
approach to estimate the wind loading on a variety of
structures, in noting including long span cables, suspension
bridge, towers and skyscrapers.
analysis of the building had been done by using STAAD Pro
2007 software and the performance was analyzed by varying
the shape of structure.
1. Height of the building considered was 105 m/35 storeyed
with reduced plan area after 20 storeys
2. Different shapes of the building studied were:
a). Square
b). Hexagonal
c). Octagonal
IV. PARAMETERS OF THE BUILDING
1. Different cases of the building analysed were as under:
a). 35 storeyed Square framed building with reduced plan
area after 20 storeys.(Fig. 2)
b). 35 storeyed Hexagonal framed building with reduced plan
area after 20 storeys. (Fig. 3)
c). 35 storeyed Octagonal framed building with reduced plan
area after 20 storeys (Fig. 4)
Various parameters of the buildings adopted were as under:
Total Height = 105 m
Plan Area up to height of 60 m = 900 m2
Plan Area above height of 60 m = 324 m2
Grid Size = 6 m x 6 m
Size of Columns (Up to 60 m height)=600 mm x 600 mm
Size of Columns (Above 60 m height)=450 mm x450 mm
Size of Beams at each floor = 450mm x 450 mm
Grade of Concrete in Columns = M60
Grade of Concrete in Beams = M25
Grade of steel = Fe 415
All supports were assumed to be fixed.

II. OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT STUDY

1. To Study the behavior of tall structures when subjected to
along wind loads.
2. To study the effect of shape of the building in plan on the
behavior of the structure.
3. To determine the effect of wind load on various parameters
like storey drifts, lateral displacements in the building.

III. SCOPE OF THE PRESENT STUDY

The scope of the present work included the study of the
wind load estimation on tall buildings for the structural design
purpose with the analytical approach given by Davenports
Gust Factor Approach in IS 875: part 3-1987 [4] and the
Fig. 2. Plan and Elevation of Square Building

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Fig. 3. Plan and Elevation of Hexagonal Building
Fig. 4. Plan and Elevation of Octagonal Building
A.Loadings Considered
Dead Loads: The loads of the beams and columns had
been taken in account by STAAD using the command of Self
weight. Dead load of slab at each floor was taken as 6 kN/m2.
The Brick wall load of inner 4.5" thick wall was taken as 8 kN/
m and of outer 9" thick wall with glazing was taken as 10 kN/
m.
Live Load The live loads had been taken as 3.00 kN/m2 at
all floors and 1.5 kN/m2 at roof.
Seismic Loads As per IS-1893-2002 [5], seismic analysis of
the structure was performed. The design horizontal seismic
coefficient, Ah for the structure had been computed using
the following:
1. Zone factor, Z =0.24 (Zone IV)
2. Importance factor , I =1.0
3. Response Reduction factor, R =5
4. Soil type = Hard Soil
5. Damping Coefficient = 0.05
Wind Loads As per IS-875 part 3, wind analysis of the
structure was performed. The horizontal wind force of
structure had been computed using the Gust factor method
approach given in IS 875(part 3)-1987).
B. Wind Load Calculations
Since early 1960s, when Davenports (1961) explained
statistical concepts of the stationary time series for the
determination of the response of simple structures to a
turbulent gusty wind, efforts had been made to express peak
stresses, accelerations, etc., in terms of the mean wind
velocity, the spectrum of the gustiness and the mechanical
and aerodynamic properties of the structure. Still today
Davenports (1967) gust loading factor approach forms the
most acceptable approach for prediction of mean and
fluctuating response of slender structures.
C. Wind load Calculations Based Upon the Codal
Provisions:
Square building
Terrain Category I
Plan length = 30 m; Plan width = 30 m
Height of building = 105 m
Face width = 30 m; Face depth = 105 m
Interval = 5 m
Natural period = T 1.73 sec
Frequency = 0.58
k1 = 1.07; k2 (at 105 m) = 1.00
k3 = 1.00; Vb = 47 m/s
Vz = Vb x k1 x k2 x k3 =50.29 m/s
Pz(at the top) = 1517.45 N/m2
Cf = 1.35

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Calculation for Gust Factor, (G) were also increasing and the wind intensities were decreasing
From Figure 8 -11 (IS 875(part 3)-1987) with the variation of shapes from square to octagonal. The
gfr = 0.75; L (h) = 2200; B = 0.62 variation of wind intensity with height is shown in Fig 5.
S = 0.09; E = 0.045; = 0.016
C. Load Combinations
= 0.15; Cy = 10; Cz = 12
Load combinations were considered as per IS 875(part 5)
H (height of structure) = 105m
B (width of structure) = 30 m VII. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

0.24; f0 = 0.58; F0 = 14.52 In the succeeding sections, the behavior of different

buildings when subjected to wind load have been discussed.
= 1.87 A. Effect of the Shape of the Building on Storey Drifts
The Storey drifts for square, hexagonal and octagonal
building are compared in Table II and Fig.6.
TABLE I. WIND INTENSITIESAT DIFFERENT H EIGHT O F T HE BUILDING
TABLE II. STOREY DRIFTS AT DIFFERENT HEIGHTS

Fig. 6. Variation of Storey drift

Fig. 5. Variation of Wind intensities with height
Where Ae = effective frontal height at any height z
Vz = hourly mean wind speed in m/s, at height z
= Vb x k1 x k2 x k3
Pz = 0.6 Vz2
Fz=Cf.Ae.Pz.G
By using the Davenport Gust Factor Approach given in
the code IS 875: part 3-1987 and with the data provided, wind
intensity was determined. It was seen from Table 1 that withthe
increase in the height of the building the wind intensities
From Table 2 it is evident that with the change in shape of
building from square to octagonal the storey drifts of the
building decreases. It is seen that the percentage reduction
in octagonal building is more as compared to in hexagonal
building. The storey drifts in the bottom most storeys are
reduced by 5 - 12% in case of hexagonal building and 12 -
15% in case of octagonal building as compared to storey
drifts in square building. Peak Storey drift in Square building
is 221.890 mm, in hexagonal building is 198.840 mm and in
octagonal building is 192.430 mm. The percentage reduction
in peak storey drift in hexagonal building is 11.59% and in
octagonal building is 13.27% as compared to peak storey
drift in square building. From Figure 6 it is clear that the
storey drifts are reduced with the increase in number of sides
of the building with the same column stiffness and grid size

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due to reduction in effective area (Ae) of wind load
application.
B.Effect of the Shape of The Building on Lateral
Displacements
TABLE III. COMPARISON O F LATERAL DISPLACEMENTS
The lateral joint displacements in square, hexagonal and
octagonal buildings at different heights are compared in Table
3 and Figure 7.From the observations it is evident that with
the change in shape of building from square to octagonal the
lateral displacements of the building decreases.
Fig. 7. Variation of Lateral Displacements with height
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Peak lateral displacement in square building is 584.523 mm, in
hexagonal building is 557.947 mm and in octagonal building
is 504.081 mm.The percentage reduction in peak displacement
in hexagonal building is 4.55% and in octagonal building is
13.76 % as compared to peak lateral displacement in square
Building.
CONCLUSIONS
A 35 storeyed building of different shapes- Square,
Hexagonal and Octagonal, having equal plan area and equal
stiffness of the columns at each storey has been analysed.
With the change in shape of building from square to octagonal
the storey drifts and the lateral displacements of the building
decreased. The storey drifts in the bottom most storeys were
reduced by 5 - 12% in case of hexagonal building and 12 -
15% in case of octagonal building as compared to storey
drifts in square building. The percentage reduction in peak
displacement in hexagonal building was 4.55% and in
octagonal building was 13.76 % as compared to peak lateral
displacement in square building. Based upon the above
results, it is concluded that shape of the structure plays an
important role in resisting wind loads. Octagonal shaped
building has lesser storey drifts, lesser lateral displacements
at the joints as compared to hexagonal and square shaped
building.
REFERENCES
[1] Isyumov,N.(1999). Overview of Wind Action on Tall Building
and Structures. Wind Engineering into the 21st Century,
Larsen, Larose &Livesey (eds -1999) Balkema, 15-27.
[2] Kareem,A.(1992). Dynamic Response of High Rise Buildings
to Stochastic Wind Loads. J. W.E. & I.A.(Proc. VIII Int.
Conf. on Wind Engrg., Ontario, Canada), 41 -44, 1101-1112.
[3] Davenport,A.G.(1967). Gust Loading Factors. J. Struct.
Engg., ASCE, 93(ST3), 11 -34
[4] BIS 875: (1987). Indian Standards Code of Practice for Design
Loads (Other than Earthquake) for Buildings and Structures
pt.3 - Wind Loads. Bureau of Indian Standards, India.
[5] BIS-1893-2002 [5], Indian Standard criteria of earthquake
resistant design of structure. Bureau of Indian Standards, India.
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