A Fully Coupled Numerical Analysis of the Response of a Circular Membrane to High Wind Loads
by A. Horvat, A. Kyte, ANSYS UK User Conference 2008 “Inspiring Engineering”, Oxford, UK, Oct. 29-30, 2008, Proceedings.
A fluid-structure analysis of a test case representing a radio antenna that is subjected to wind load is performed. Due to high wind speeds, large deflection of the protective fabric occurs, which may damage the sensitive electronic equipment. Therefore, accurate prediction of maximum fabric deflection under the most severe wind conditions is of vital importance. The analysis is performed for the wind speed of 155 mph.
The maximum deflection of the protective fabric is calculated using four alternative methods, including a 2-way coupled fluid-structure simulation. Issues that the authors encountered performing the numerical simulations are also discussed. The comparison of the results shows that, for the studied case, a difference of approximately 12% exists between the full 2-way coupled solution of the fluid- structure system and a simple estimate of the maximum deflection using algebraic expressions. The level of deviation increases with increasing fabric deflection (e.g. lower elasticity modulus, higher wind speed) and non-symmetrical pressure load (e.g. change of the antenna design).
