Numerical prediction of the proximity effects on wind loads of low-rise buildings with cylindrical roofs

Low-rise structures are generally immersed within the roughness layer of the atmospheric boundary layer flows and represent the largest class of the structures for which wind loads for design are being obtained from the wind standards codes of distinct nations. For low-rise buildings, wind loads are one of the decisive loads when designing a roof. For the case of cylindrical roof structures, the information related to wind pressure coefficient is limited to a single span only. In contrast, for multi-span roofs, the information is not available. In this research, the numerical simulation has been done using ANSYS CFX to determine wind pressure distribution on the roof of low-rise cylindrical structures arranged in rectangular plan with variable spacing in accordance with building width (B=0.2 m) i.e., zero, 0.5B, B, 1.5B and 2B subjected to different wind incidence angles varying from 0° to 90° having the interval of 15°. The wind pressure (P) and pressure coefficients (Cpe) are varying with respect to wind incidence angle and variable spacing. The results of present numerical investigation or wind induced pressure are presented in the form of pressure contours generated by Ansys CFD Post for isolated as well as variable spacing model of cylindrical roofs. It was noted that the effect of wind shielding was reducing on the roofs by increasing spacing between the buildings. The variation pf Coefficient of wind pressure (Cpe) for all the roofs have been presented individually in the form of graphs with respect to angle of attacks of wind (AoA) and variable spacing. The critical outcomes of the present study will be so much beneficial to structural design engineers during the analysis and designing of low-rise buildings with cylindrical roofs in an isolated as well as group formation.