Wind Loads for Petrochemical Structures

Louisiana State University, 2007. — 249 p.Petrochemical structures introduce geometric scales into wind tunnel model simulations below what are common for enclosed structures. Wind tunnel experiments were performed to help determine whether this will introduce problems in achieving dynamic similarity between models and prototypes.Introduction A Brief Description of the Problem Goals and Objectives The Organization of This Dissertation Background The Probabilistic Basis of Structural Engineering Practice Wind Load Formulation Velocity Pressure Gust Effect Factor Force Coefficient and Projected Area Chapter SummaryLiterature review Introduction Wind Profile Gust Effect Factor Reynolds Number Effects in Wind Tunnel Testing Force Coefficients Open Frameworks Partially Clad Structures High-Solidity Open Frame Stxuctures Vertical Vessels Wind Load Statistics and Structural Reliability Chapter SummaryMethodology Introduction Wind Tunnel Testing LSU Wind Tunnel Laboratory Instruments Experimental Data Analysis Analytical Wind Load Estimation Reliability Analysis Chapter SummaryReynolds number sensitivity in wind tunnel testing Introduction Experimental Setup Results and Discussion Flow Visualization Single Square Prism Pressure Measurements Tandem Square Prism Pressure Measurements Net Pressure Coefficients Chapter Summary and ConclusionsWind loads for open frame petrochemical structures Introduction Experimental Setup Results Empty Frame Empty Frame with Floors Frame with Floors and Equipment Frame with Floors, Equipment, and Stairwell Load Cases Discussion Chapter Summary and ConclusionsWind loads for frameworks with partial cladding Introduction Experimental Setup Results and Discussion Smooth Flow Results Results from Tests in Grid Turbulent Flow Comparison of Results Obtained in Smooth and Turbulent Flow Comparison of Partially Clad Model Results with Data for Similar Shapes Results from Tests in Boundary Layer Flow Chapter Summary and ConclusionsWind loads for higher-solidity open frame structures Introduction Brief Literature Review Analytical Considerations Empirical Considerations Comparison of Measurements with Analytical Method Other Empirical Considerations Upper Limit Force Coefficient Chapter Summary and ConclusionsWind loads for vertical vessels Introduction Experimental Procedure Velocity Profile Longitudinal Turbulence Intensity and Length Scale Wind Tunnel Models Wind Tunnel Blockage Wind Tunnel Pressure Gradient Reynolds Number Effects Instrumentation Test Results Application of Test Results to Wind Load Calculations Comparison of Wind Tunnel Test Results to Desk Methods Chapter Summary and ConclusionsWind load analysis uncertainty for petrochemical structures Introduction Selected Data Set Characteristics of the Data Set Reliability Analysis Results and Discussion Chapter Summary and ConclusionsConclusions and recommendations Introduction Literature Survey Reynolds Number Sensitivity in Wind Tunnel Testing Open Frame Structures Partially Clad Structures Higher-Solidity Open Frame Structures Vertical Vessels Wind Load Analysis Uncertainty Final Remarks Louisiana State University, 2007. — 249 p. Petrochemical structures introduce geometric scales into wind tunnel model simulations below what are common for enclosed structures. Wind tunnel experiments were performed to help determine whether this will introduce problems in achieving dynamic similarity between models and prototypes. Introduction A Brief Description of the Problem Goals and Objectives The Organization of This Dissertation Background The Probabilistic Basis of Structural Engineering Practice Wind Load Formulation Velocity Pressure Gust Effect Factor Force Coefficient and Projected Area Chapter Summary Literature review Introduction Wind Profile Gust Effect Factor Reynolds Number Effects in Wind Tunnel Testing Force Coefficients Open Frameworks Partially Clad Structures High-Solidity Open Frame Stxuctures Vertical Vessels Wind Load Statistics and Structural Reliability Chapter Summary Methodology Introduction Wind Tunnel Testing LSU Wind Tunnel Laboratory Instruments Experimental Data Analysis Analytical Wind Load Estimation Reliability Analysis Chapter Summary Reynolds number sensitivity in wind tunnel testing Introduction Experimental Setup Results and Discussion Flow Visualization Single Square Prism Pressure Measurements Tandem Square Prism Pressure Measurements Net Pressure Coefficients Chapter Summary and Conclusions Wind loads for open frame petrochemical structures Introduction Experimental Setup Results Empty Frame Empty Frame with Floors Frame with Floors and Equipment Frame with Floors, Equipment, and Stairwell Load Cases Discussion Chapter Summary and Conclusions Wind loads for frameworks with partial cladding Introduction Experimental Setup Results and Discussion Smooth Flow Results Results from Tests in Grid Turbulent Flow Comparison of Results Obtained in Smooth and Turbulent Flow Comparison of Partially Clad Model Results with Data for Similar Shapes Results from Tests in Boundary Layer Flow Chapter Summary and Conclusions Wind loads for higher-solidity open frame structures Introduction Brief Literature Review Analytical Considerations Empirical Considerations Comparison of Measurements with Analytical Method Other Empirical Considerations Upper Limit Force Coefficient Chapter Summary and Conclusions Wind loads for vertical vessels Introduction Experimental Procedure Velocity Profile Longitudinal Turbulence Intensity and Length Scale Wind Tunnel Models Wind Tunnel Blockage Wind Tunnel Pressure Gradient Reynolds Number Effects Instrumentation Test Results Application of Test Results to Wind Load Calculations Comparison of Wind Tunnel Test Results to Desk Methods Chapter Summary and Conclusions Wind load analysis uncertainty for petrochemical structures Introduction Selected Data Set Characteristics of the Data Set Reliability Analysis Results and Discussion Chapter Summary and Conclusions Conclusions and recommendations Introduction Literature Survey Reynolds Number Sensitivity in Wind Tunnel Testing Open Frame Structures Partially Clad Structures Higher-Solidity Open Frame Structures Vertical Vessels Wind Load Analysis Uncertainty Final Remarks