Wind Tunnel Testing of High-Rise Buildings

Tall buildings are subjected to extreme wind events throughout their lifespan, yet standard codes often overlook conditions unique to tall structures, such as crosswind excitation and aerodynamic instability. Wind tunnel testing remains the most accurate method for evaluating these effects. The CTBUH Wind Tunnel Testing Guide provides general guidelines for conducting such tests on tall buildings in a format useful to building professionals, regulatory authorities, and wind specialists. While not a detailed manual of practice, it outlines best practices and helps ensure greater consistency and comparability of results across different wind consultants.