Pseudo-excitation method for vibration analysis of wind-excited structures

The pseudo-excitation method, in which random excitations are mathematically represented by a series of harmonic loads, is developed for vibration analysis of wind-excited large civil engineering structures of closely spaced natural frequencies or equipped with discrete damping devices. By using this method, all cross-correlation terms between normal modes in a structural response can be retained naturally, and the non-orthogonal structural damping or stiffness properties can be handled accurately. The principle and algorithm of the pseudo-excitation method are introduced in this paper for structures with and without control devices. The accuracy of the method is validated through the comparison with the transfer matrix method. Two example buildings are presented to demonstrate the advantages of the suggested method.