Wind Effects on Dome Structures and Evaluation of CFD Simulations through Wind Tunnel Testing

Tiantian Li, Hongya Qu, Yi Zhao, Ryan Honerkamp, Guirong Yan (), Arindam Chowdhury and Ioannis Zisis
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Tiantian Li: Shanghai Typhoon Institute of China Meteorological Administration, Shanghai 200030, China
Hongya Qu: Department of Bridge Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Yi Zhao: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409, USA
Ryan Honerkamp: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409, USA
Guirong Yan: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409, USA
Arindam Chowdhury: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA
Ioannis Zisis: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33174, USA

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-22

Abstract: In the study, a series of wind tunnel tests were conducted to investigate wind effects acting on dome structures (1/60 scale) induced by straight-line winds at a Reynolds number in the order of 10 6 . Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed as well, including a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulation, and their performances were validated by a comparison with the wind tunnel testing data. It is concluded that wind loads generally increase with upstream wind velocities, and they are reduced over suburban terrain due to ground friction. The maximum positive pressure normally occurs near the base of the dome on the windward side caused by the stagnation area and divergence of streamlines. The minimum suction pressure occurs at the apex of the dome because of the blockage of the dome and convergence of streamlines. Suction force is the most significant among all wind loads, and special attention should be paid to the roof design for proper wind resistance. Numerical simulations also indicate that LES results match better with the wind tunnel testing in terms of the distribution pattern of the mean pressure coefficient on the dome surface and total suction force. The mean and root-mean-square errors of the meridian pressure coefficient associated with the LES are about 60% less than those associated with RANS results, and the error of suction force is about 40–70% less. Moreover, the LES is more accurate in predicting the location of boundary layer separation and reproducing the complex flow field behind the dome, and is superior in simulating vortex structures around the dome to further understand the unsteadiness and dynamics in the flow field.

Keywords: wind loads; Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation; wind tunnel testing; spherical domes; turbulence modeling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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