Experimental and Computational Analysis of 14 Gauge Rooftop Solar PV Mounting Structure against Wind in Pakistan

Arhaam Mubarak; M. Javed Hyder

doi:10.3390/engproc2023045014

Engineering Proceedings (Sep 2023)

Experimental and Computational Analysis of 14 Gauge Rooftop Solar PV Mounting Structure against Wind in Pakistan

Arhaam Mubarak,
M. Javed Hyder

Affiliations

Arhaam Mubarak: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
M. Javed Hyder: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2023045014
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 45, no. 1
p. 14

Abstract

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Fourteen-gauge solar PV mounting structure installations represent 60% of total solar PV installations in Pakistan. At least 34 (1.72%) structures were damaged on 13 June 2021 with an average 56 km/h wind speed on that day. Therefore, a need arose for a thorough analysis of the 14-gauge solar PV mounting structure. Computational analysis was carried out for 14-gauge solar PV mounting structures. The equivalent stress and total deformation in the structure were calculated computationally. Using computational analysis, it was found that 14-gauge solar PV mounting structures deformed at an 80 km/h wind velocity and broke at a 110 km/h wind velocity. Hence, 14-gauge solar PV mounting structures do not fulfil the building code of Pakistan.

Published in Engineering Proceedings

ISSN: 2673-4591 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General): Engineering machinery, tools, and implements
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/engproc

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