CFD Investigation of Aerodynamic Effects on Multi-span Low-rise Structures with Curved Canopy Roofs of Different Apex Height

Abstract

Several nations’ wind codes have established pressure coefficients for structures with the most commonly used roof designs. However, similar work is missing for low-rise structures with curved-canopy roofs and all sides open to the wind environment. Therefore, this work investigates wind impact on single-span and multi-span low-rise structures with curved canopy roofs and an open wind environment on all sides. Ansys CFX is used to establish the wind flow pattern, conduct the simulations, and compute wind pressure coefficients on the roof of six different structures represented as a 1:50 scale model and simulated for four wind directions ranging from 0° to 90° at 30° intervals. Due to the direct head-on impact on single-span structures, pressure contours revealed positive pressure on the external face on the windward side. The external face showed suction/negative pressure for variation in incidence angle. For multi-span structures, the external face experienced suction pressure at the windward side. Positive pressure was experienced at the junction at the external face, which changed with the incidence angle. The internal face and its junction encountered positive pressure on the windward side. Negative pressure was also detected on the external face of the roof in both single-span and multi-span structures.