Reduce Creaking in Tall Buildings

Tall buildings, much like tall trees, sway in windy conditions. This is caused by a phenomenon known as vortex shedding. Vortex shedding occurs when wind runs into a tall building and the wind is “split” into two separate air streams around the building. This generates areas of low pressure on the opposite side of the building, which creates a suction-effect that causes the building to sway. And when that building sways, it creaks. Some buildings can generate creaking sounds up to 70 decibels (dB). This is louder than a conversation in a restaurant or office, and can be as loud as a running vacuum cleaner. This keeps apartment residents awake at night, and terrifies unsuspecting hotel guests.

Creaking has been a problem in tall buildings for a long time, but the specific causes of the creaking were unknown. So, Studco® led an in-depth two-year research project that analyzed global wind studies and performed field investigations within buildings that had known noise problems. This led to the discovery that the head track in the steel stud wall system was not fit for purpose when fixing to an uneven surface: the head track becomes deformed as it follows the contours of the substrates uneven surface, putting tension on the profile as a result of elastic buckling, and in some extreme cases, plastic deformation occurs when the track becomes creased and permanently damaged. As the building vibrates and sways in a cyclical pattern with the wind, the tension in the track causes an irritating creaking noise.