A study on behavior of the Latin American Tower subjected to wind loads

The Latin American Tower was built in the center of Mexico City in 1956, becoming the tallest building in Latin America at the time. The wind loads considered in the design of the skyscraper were based on a wind pressure of 686.54 Pa. At that time there were not enough procedures to simulate wind speed time series, that is why the structural engineers used wind static loads on the design of The Latin American Tower. Currently due to climate change and a better understanding of wind loads, the Mexican Technical Norms relating to wind resistant design of structures suggest reference wind velocities. This paper shows the along-wind dynamic response of the Latin American Tower through a simplified model of masses and springs subjected to wind speed time series. The results shows an increase in the displacements, shear forces and base overturning moment of the Latin American Tower with respect to those initially obtained during its static wind design made in the 1950s. The along-wind dynamic response of the skyscraper in the dynamic analysis almost exceeds the serviceability limit states under wind loads recommended by current standards.