Field Experiments to Investigate Occupant Perception and Tolerance of Wind-Induced Building Motion (No. R803)

Abstract

Field measurements were conducted at three control towers to determine occupant reaction to wind-induced building motion. The towers used were Brisbane Airport Control Tower, Sydney Airport Control Tower and the Port Operations & Communications Centre in Sydney. Occupants at Brisbane and Sydney Airport Control Towers were provided with push-buttons on which they could register motion perception and/or tolerance. Surveys were conducted with occupants in Sydney Airport Control Tower and the Port Operations & Communications Centre. Motion perception was found to be dependent on peak accelerations. It was found that the factors affecting motion tolerance are: magnitude of motion leading to fear and alarm; and the frequency of occurrence of perceptible motion. Education and habituation was found to increase tolerance of wind-induced motion.