Evaluating the Impact of Wind Vibrations on Building Structures - A Review

Abstract: With the continuous growth of urbanization and the rapid development of high-rise and slender building structures, wind-induced vibrations have emerged as a governing design concern in modern structural engineering. Unlike conventional gravity and seismic loads, wind action is stochastic in nature and can induce significant dynamic responses even at moderate wind speeds, affecting both structural safety and occupant comfort. Wind-induced vibrations can lead to excessive lateral displacements, accelerations, fatigue damage, serviceability failures, and psychological discomfort among occupants, particularly in tall, lightweight, and flexible buildings. This review paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of wind-induced vibrations in building structures, focusing on their generation mechanisms, structural response characteristics, serviceability implications, and mitigation strategies. The paper synthesizes findings from experimental investigations, numerical simulations, full-scale monitoring studies, and recent review articles. Special emphasis is placed on human comfort, cognitive performance degradation, aerodynamic modification, structural control devices, podium effects, timber buildings, and emerging performance-based design approaches. The review highlights the limitations of conventional code-based methods and underscores the need for integrated aerodynamic, structural, and human-centric design frameworks. Finally, critical research gaps are identified to guide future studies toward safer, more resilient, and occupant-friendly building designs.