Design and processing of a continuous aero-elastic shell model of high-rise flexible structures

The wind tunnel test of the aero-elastic model is an accurate method to assess the wind effect on the high-flexible structures, and the model making is the key point during this process. A novel method to make the continuous aero-elastic shell model is proposed, and the main steps as well as key techniques of the model manufacture are discussed in detail. Firstly, the inner mold is made of gypsum, the outer mold is carved by organic glass, and the gap dimension between the inner and outer mold is precisely designed in this step. After that, the DEVCON glue is injected into the gap. Finally, the inner and outer mold is removed after the glue is cured, and then the aero-elastic model is done. Dynamic test results show that the mass, the damping ratio, the first two order mode shape and the frequency of the realistic structure could be simulated accurately. The making method of this article has the following advantages:low time-consuming, economic, high precision and good versatility. Moreover, this method can be used for the continuous aero-elastic model of high-rise buildings, high-rise flexible chimneys, chemical towers, TV towers, cooling towers and so on. So the making method proposed in this paper can be an important guideline for the similar structures.