EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON WIND LOADS ON SPHERICAL SHELL STRUCTURE

Spherical shell structure is a kind of wind-sensitive large-span structure. Based on a wind tunnel test of rigid models, the pressure distributions on four domes of different heights have been measured through a high frequency electronic scanner system. Considering the effect of Reynolds number, height to diameter ratios, wind terrain types of these three factors, the aerodynamic characteristics of a hemispherical shell are compared, including mean and fluctuating wind pressure coefficients on the center meridian and overall pressure patterns of the dome. An experimental basis for the wind loads design of the corresponding spherical shell structure is provided.