Gust buffeting and aeroelastic behaviour of poles and monotubular towers

The evolution in the constructional field and the realization of ever more slender and light structures have emphasized the increasing difficulty of properly evaluating the actions and effects of wind on poles and monotubular towers. Faced with this situation the Italian constructors, united in a consortium coordinated by ACS ACAI Servizi, entrusted the Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering of Genova University with the task of formulating an ad hoc calculation procedure for this type of structure. This gave rise to a wide-ranging research project in which theoretical models, experimental evaluations and engineering methods were developed in parallel through an effective and quite a unique cooperation between researchers, designers and builders. This paper illustrates the physical aspects, the general principles and the basic formulation of the method proposed, with special emphasis on gust buffeting and aeroelastic phenomena. Preliminary results of full-scale measurements of the structural damping are also presented. The conclusions highlight the scientific and technical perspectives of this research.