It is becoming increasingly common in modern architecture to make use of lightweight, narrow-section, hollow and/or porous components, for both structural and aesthetic purposes. These types of components can produce audible noise. Elements that vibrate or whistle in the wind can produce noise at all hours of the day, and the constant and erratic nature of this noise can pedestrian discomfort. Structural vibration of lightweight, flexible façade elements can also generate audible noise, particularly when

vibrations are transmitted to building interiors via direct connection with the main structural elements of the building. The most significant day-to-day adverse wind effects in a number of developments are caused by uncontrolled internal pressure fields and flows produced by the opening of windows on elevated facades, even during moderately windy conditions.

ESE can produce a desktop study based on the engineer’s experience, a comprehensive literature review, parametric modelling, wind tunnel tests and computational fluid dynamics to predict wind generated noises.