Validity of Wind Load Distribution based on High Frequency Force Balance Measurements

High frequency force balance ~HFFB! measurements have recently been utilized to identify the distribution of spatiotemporally varying fluctuating wind loads on buildings. These developments, predicated on their ability to compute any response component of interest, based on actual building characteristics, attempt to offer a framework that eliminates the need for mode shape corrections generally necessary in the traditional HFFB technique. To examine the effectiveness of these schemes with significant practical implications to wind tunnel modeling technology, this technical note utilizes a recent approach to identify the alongwind loading on buildings. The predictions are compared to a widely utilized analytical loading model. It is noted that, akin to the traditional HFFB technique, the accuracy of these identification schemes clearly depends on the assumed wind loading model. DOI: 10.1061/~ASCE!0733-9445~2005!131:6~984! CE Database subject headings: Wind loads; Load distribution; Buildings, high-rise; Random vibration; Structural analysis; Measurement.