Wind-tunnel study of cross vault structures.
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Date
2011-10-11
Authors
Bradley, Ryan Anthony.
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Abstract
The present study examines the effects of surface roughness, flow characteristics,
wind orientation and small geometrical changes of the roof apex (rise) on
pressures measured at centrally located areas of the cross vault structure. The
parameters noted above are assessed to shed light on their influence on pressure
distributions and, ultimately, the loading on these structures.
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Three cross vault models with flat, convex and concave roof apex geometries have
been tested in two generic boundary-layer profiles within the BLWT at the CSIR,
Pretoria, South Africa.
The study revealed that relatively small changes in roof geometry can noticeably
influence the distribution of surface pressures, at certain azimuths and areas of the
roof. Generally, mean and negative peak pressures over the cross vaults increased
with the addition of surface roughness. Furthermore, mean pressures showed
marginal sensitivity to the change of boundary-layer conditions, whereas
noticeable differences were evident for the fluctuating pressures.