Abstract:
The construction of unique structures is complicated by the fact that codes and standards do
not exactly apply to such structures. This paper presents an overview of the analysis, design, wind tunnel
testing and field monitoring of a 70 m high monument that was constructed in the capital city of Nur-Sultan
in the Republic of Kazakhstan. This overview constitutes a useful example of the constraints imposed by
such unique, one-of-a-kind structures. The natural frequencies of the monument, determined from measured
accelerations, differed slightly from analytically computed values. Scale models were constructed to study
the response of the monument. Pressure distribution on the surfaces of a scaled model of the building was
recorded at different wind speeds and wind angles. These models were equipped with sensors that measured
the average component of pressure and the pulsating component of pressure. The effect of the different wind
angles in determining the drag coefficient on the building was also performed. Based on the aforementioned
analyses and in light of the results of the wind tunnel tests on a scale model of the monument, a 4-chord truss
was selected as the structural backbone of the monument. The chords consist of pipes that are connected by a
system of webs. Cladding is then attached to the truss to give the monument its desired esthetics and to
facilitate its aerodynamics. The tuning of two mass damper systems installed in the monument is also
described.
