Wind-structure interaction analysis of empty cylindrical silos for various slenderness ratio

Abstract

Wind is the flow of air within the earth’s atmosphere, which affects any structure greatly. Studies on the effect of wind loading on shell structures is an important field of structural research. Many shell structures, such as, chimneys, silos, tanks etc. are an integral part of the advancement of the industry and agriculture. Such shell structures are vulnerable against aerodynamic excitation and can be subjected to structural failure due to vortex-induced vibration, ovalling, buckling, rupture, over-turning etc. The present study focuses on the static fluid–structure interaction analysis to assess the wind pressure and wind-induced deformation of cylindrical silo shells. Cylindrical silos are a type of shell structure for storing granular materials, such as grains, wheat, cement, coal, fly-ash etc. Cylindrical silos very much susceptible to radial deformation and buckling failure under wind loading in empty state. In the present study the authors have conducted the wind-structure interaction studies on intermediate to tall (slenderness ratio range: 1.5 to 4.0) cylindrical silo shells for terrain category 2, as per IS-875: part 3, 2015. The silos are flat topped with uniform thickness and fixed at the base, free at the top. The logarithmic law is used to simulate wind velocity profile. The circumferential mean wind pressure coefficient distribution for each silo, is calculated and compared with Indian standard. This study is conducted for smooth flow with very low turbulence intensity for simplicity. This study exhibits that, with the increase in slenderness ratio from 1.5 to 4.0, the magnitude of negative pressure coefficients decreases, however no significant increase can be seen for positive pressure coefficients. The sway of the silos increases with the increment in slenderness ratio. The radial deformation is dominant in the intermediate portion and the nature of deformation is typical for each silo. Based on the nature of radial deformation the critical locations can be identified, which need to be strengthened to resist wind-induced deformation. It is also seen that the presence of flat roof provides significant strengthening at the top of the silos against wind-induced radial deformation.