Study on wind load characteristics of gable roof under tornado

Abstract

Abstract This research simulates the behavior of a tornado on a double-slope roof using the Ward tornado generator and the $$SS{T_{k - \omega }}$$ turbulence model. The effects of different ground roughness, slope angle, and wind field position on the tornado load characteristics of gable roofs were studied. The tornado-generating device established the tornado field under various working conditions, and the simulation results were compared with the experimental data to verify the reliability of the simulation results. The wind pressure distribution of gable roofs with four different slope angles was analyzed to find the most unfavorable roof condition of the tornado field. The gable roof’s aerodynamic and wind pressure characteristics at various places in the tornado field were explored by comparing the wind pressure coefficients at five distinct positions on smooth and rough ground. The lift-drag and wind pressure coefficients of five kinds of ground roughness were calculated to determine the influence of different ground roughness on the aerodynamic force and partial pressure distribution of the gable roof. The ground roughness reduces the vortex ratio because the ground roughness reduces the maximum tangential wind speed and the radius of the vortex core. Therefore, the gable roof’s suction increases as the updraft increases.

Keywords

• Tornado
• Aerodynamic coefficient
• Wind pressure coefficient
• Ground roughness
• Vortex volume