Codification of dynamic structural properties of buildings

The natural frequencies of vibration and damping ration are critical structural parameters affecting the dynamic response of tall buildings and structures under wind actions. There are a number of well-established commercially available finite element-based softwares that provide detailed modal frequency and mode shape properties relevant to the wind resistant design of buildings and structures. However, there is as yet no theoretical method to estimate damping in buildings. Hence there is a reliance on empirical formulations derived almost entirely from full-scale data to estimate damping in building. The inherently uncertain nature and variability of full-scale measurements and the resultant damping estimates significantly affect the reliability of the etermination of dynamic response. This paper summarises the codification of natural frequency and damping for buildings adopted by various wind codes and standards based on empirical formulations of full-scale data.