Experimental investigation on the aerodynamic characteristics of tapered high-rise buildings under atmospheric boundary layer conditions.

This article investigates the wind loads on tapered high-rise buildings under varying ground roughness conditions through wind tunnel tests using six rigid models with taper ratios from 0% to 15%. The study examines how ground roughness and taper ratio affect wind pressure coefficients, power spectral density (PSD) of fluctuating wind loads, Strouhal number (a dimensionless frequency representing vortex shedding), and base wind load coefficients. Results indicate that increased ground roughness and taper ratio suppress vortex shedding, leading to decreased fluctuating wind loads in across-wind and torsional directions, with the Strouhal number rising as taper ratio and height increase. The influence of ground roughness on fluctuating wind loads diminishes with higher taper ratios, showing an interdependent effect. The authors propose estimating equations for base shear force and torque coefficients that incorporate taper ratio and ground roughness, validated by high goodness-of-fit values, to facilitate engineering applications.