With a handful of new high-rise projects, we are taking cities like Tampa, Kansas City, and Nashville to new heights!
Our experts in high-rise structural design understand the focus often shifts from safety to serviceability performance when engineering buildings 20+ stories. While these towers are designed to withstand extreme loads and rarely experience failures, they are more prone to excessive movement which potentially impact inhabitants and building systems.
Understanding Wind Effects on Tall Buildings
In tall buildings, wind-induced vibrations and lateral drift caused by gusts and fluctuating wind patterns can lead to occupant discomfort, motion sickness, and long-term impacts on sensitive building systems. These movements may not threaten structural integrity, but they directly affect how a building performs day to day.
How We Analyze and Mitigate High Rise Lateral Drift
To address these challenges, our high-rise structural engineers use advanced 3D finite element modeling to evaluate building behavior under wind loading. These models allow us to:
- Accurately predict wind-induced movements and vibrations
- Evaluate performance based on building height, shape, and geographic location
- Simulate realistic wind scenarios the structure may experience over its lifespan
By studying how the building responds in a digital analysis environment, we can design efficient and economical lateral stability systems that reduce movement, protect building systems, and improve occupant comfort—without overdesigning the structure.