Pressures on open canopy structures with parapets under wind loading

Published Date
November 2013, Vol.56:850–867, doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2013.06.009

Author 

Augusto Poitevin ^a

Bruno Natalini ^b,c

Luis A. Godoy ^c,d,,

• aCHM Structural Engineers, Miami, FL, USA
• bUniversidad Nacional del Nordeste, Resistencia, Argentina
• cCONICET, Argentina
• dStructures Dept., FCEFyN, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Cordoba, Argentina

Received 28 November 2012. Revised 23 February 2013. Accepted 11 June 2013. Available online 15 July 2013. 

Highlights

• Pressure coefficients in open canopy structures with parapets are presented.
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  Structural types of interest are roofs of gas stations.
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  Wind tunnel testing and CFD have been used to obtain pressures.
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  Net pressure coefficients have sign changes on the main surface.
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  Pressures occur at the windward and leeward zones, with suction at the center.

Abstract

Pressure coefficients due to wind in open canopy structures with parapets, such as those commonly used in gas stations, are presented. Two independent methodologies were used to obtain pressure coefficients: wind tunnel testing and Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modeling. The experiments were performed in a low velocity atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel. The atmospheric boundary layer flow was simulated in the tunnel and a small scale model of a canopy made with aluminum plates was tested considering wind incidence at 0° (normal-to-the ridge direction) and 30°. Pressures were measured at a number of locations on the plate and the parapets. CFD models were investigated under steady state conditions using commercial software. The wind tunnel results for a canopy without parapets were found to be in agreement with results obtained by other authors. The CFD simulations were in good agreement with the wind tunnel results for canopies with parapets. The values of the net pressure coefficients on the main surface show downward pressures close to the windward zone, followed by suction at the center, and downward pressure on the leeward zone of the canopy. Differences with current recommendations for the design of canopies are highlighted.

Keywords

Canopies

Computational Fluid Dynamics

Open structures

Parapets

Wind tunnel

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  Corresponding author. Tel.: +54 351 4683631.
  
  

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