Techno Press
Techno Press

Wind and Structures
  Volume 15, Number 6, November 2012 , pages 481-494
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/was.2012.15.6.481
 


Calculated external pressure coefficients on livestock buildings and comparison with Eurocode 1
D.L. Kateris, V.P. Fragos, T.A. Kotsopoulos, A.G. Martzopoulou and D. Moshou

 
Abstract
    The greenhouse type metal structures are increasingly used in modern construction of livestock farms because they are less laborious to construct and they provide a more favorable microclimate for the growth of animals compared to conventional livestock structures. A key stress factor for metal structures is the wind. The external pressure coefficient (cpe) is used for the calculation of the wind effect on the structures. A high pressure coefficient value leads to an increase of the construction weight and subsequently to an increase in the construction cost. The EC1 in conjunction with EN 13031-1:2001, which is specialized for greenhouses, gives values for this coefficient. This value must satisfy two requirements: the safety of the structure and a reduced construction cost. In this paper, the Navier – Stokes and continuity equations are solved numerically with the finite element method (Galerkin Method) in order to simulate the two dimensional, incompressible, viscous air flow over the vaulted roofs of single span and twin-span with eaves livestock greenhouses\' structures, with a height of 4.5 meters and with length of span of 9.6 and 14 m. The simulation was carried out in a wind tunnel. The numerical results of pressure coefficients, as well as, the distribution of them are presented and compared with data from Eurocodes for wind actions (EC1, EN 13031-1:2001). The results of the numerical experiment were close to the values given by the Eurocodes mainly on the leeward area of the roof while on the windward area a further segmentation is suggested.
 
Key Words
    Eurocode; external pressure coefficient; CFD; livestock building; wind flow
 
Address
D.L. Kateris, V.P. Fragos,T.A. Kotsopoulos, and D. Moshou : Department of Hydraulics, Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki, Greece
V.P. Fragos and T.A. Kotsopoulos :Agricultural Structures Control Center (ASCC),Thermi-Thessaloniki, Greece
A.G. Martzopoulou : School of Architecture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
 

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