Numerical study on wind-induced aerodynamic coefficients of open-sided vaulted roofs with rectangular plans

Abstract

Wind load is a critical factor influencing the structural safety of buildings, particularly vaulted-free roofs. This study employs Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations using ANSYS Fluent to determine the aerodynamic coefficients of such structures. The simulation results exhibit strong agreement with wind tunnel experiments, validating the accuracy and reliability of the computational approach. The findings indicate that the vault rise-to-span ratio (f/B) significantly affects pressure distribution and aerodynamic coefficients. An increase in the rise ratio leads to higher positive pressure at the windward base of the vault, while negative pressure dominates the underside due to intensified vortex formation. The results provide essential data for wind load assessment, contributing to the optimization of structural design and the enhancement of aerodynamic stability for vaulted-free roofs.