Gust front factor: Tropical cyclone-induced wind load effects on tall buildings

Gust front factor (GFF) is a well-established analysis framework to consider the effects of unconventional wind loadings on structures. The existence of the supergradient wind region, where the tangential winds are larger than the gradient wind, has been frequently observed in tropical cyclones. This results in a vertical profile that cannot be well represented by conventional power or logarithmic law. Hence, the GFF framework is utilized in this study to investigate the tropical cyclone-induced wind load effects on tall buildings. More specifically, the kinematic loading effect of the tropical cyclone, which plays a dominant role under the GFF framework, is comprehensively examined based on the tropical cyclone wind profiles resulting from observations, empirical model and semi-empirical model. Buildings with heights in the range of 18-1000m are selected to calculate the kinematic effects sub-factor of GFF. The results suggest that it may be important to take the supergradient wind effects into account in the wind design of high-rise buildings in coastal areas to ensure the target safety and performance levels.