CWE Simulation of Dynamic Wind Loading on Wide-Span Membrane Structures
Abstract:
The case study used in this thesis work is a foldable wide-span umbrella; designed and erected by SL-Rasch GmbH & Liebherr Firm. This structure function is to create impermanent roofing, providing shade during the day (figures 1.3 and 1.4). Its size has been evolving with the years starting from 5m in 1987, reaching 29m in the new ones used in The Prophet Holy Masjid in Medina (figure 1.5). Even larger umbrellas ( > 100 m) are desired to be constructed with sufficient strength and durability. The wider the span of this umbrella gets, the more vulnerable it becomes to resist wind dynamic loading; and thus the more complicated it is to make design decisions. In this thesis work, the available experimental results of the 29 m-span umbrella will be used to validate CWE simulations. The open-source OpenFOAM software applicability in computational wind simulation is tested and some adjustments are implemented to be able to utilize it with zero-thick open membrane surfaces. In Chapter 2, wind flow and CFD are briefly reviewed. The steps of setting up the CWE simulation case and the implementation in OpenFOAM are presented in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 discusses the results and comparisons of performed simulations. Main conclusions and outlooks are listed in chapters 5 and 6 respectively. In this thesis work, the available experimental results of the 29 m-span umbrella will be used to validate CWE simulations. The open-source OpenFOAM software applicability in computational wind simulation is tested and some adjustments are implemented to be able to utilize it with zero-thick open membrane surfaces. In Chapter 2, wind flow and CFD are briefly reviewed. The steps of setting up the CWE simulation case and the implementation in OpenFOAM are presented in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 discusses the results and comparisons of performed simulations. Main conclusions and outlooks are listed in chapters 5 and 6 respectively.