Experiments on natural snow distribution around simplified building models based on open air snow-wind combined experimental facility

Liu, Mengmeng; Zhang, Qingwen; Fan, Feng; Shen, Shihui

doi:10.1016/j.jweia.2017.12.010

Cited by 29 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The specific method is illustrated in Equation (10)- (14). Firstly, a field matrix X m×n is obtained by collating the measured data, where the subscript "m" represents the number of spatial points under a certain inflow direction condition, namely 900 and the subscript "n" represents the number of inflow cases, namely five.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The kth column of the spatial matrix EOF represents the kth spatial mode EOF k . Finally, the wind direction matrix PC can be derived from the spatial matrix EOF and original field matrix X, as indicated in Equation (14).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sci. 2019, 9, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 17 of previous research [14]. The snow-wind tunnel test chamber was closed, and the dimensions were 10 × 4.5 × 3 m. The temperature inside the chamber was the same as the outdoor air temperature, which ranged from −30 °C to −10 °C during winter.…”

Section: Similarity Criterionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Research on Snow Load Characteristics on a Complex Long-Span Roof Based on Snow–Wind Tunnel Tests

Zhang

Fan

et al. 2019

Applied Sciences

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Featured Application: This study provides a simplified method that can be applied to help preliminarily estimate the snow load on a complex roof by combining the snow loads on several simple roofs, which have been provided in the load code or obtained by numerical studies.Abstract: A considerable number of studies have been carried out for predicting snowdrifts on roofs over the years. However, few studies have focused on snowdrifts on complex long-span roofs, as the complex shape and fine structure pose significant challenges. In this study, to simplify the calculation requirements of snow load on such roofs, work was conducted to decompose the snowdrift on a complex roof into snowdrifts on several simple roofs. First, the snow-wind tunnel test similarity criteria were investigated based on a combined air-snow-wind experimental system. Thereafter, with reference to the validated experimental similarity criteria, a series of snow-wind tunnel tests were performed for snowdrifts on a complex long-span structure under the conditions of different inflow directions. Finally, based on empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, the snowdrifts on the complex roof were decomposed into basic characteristic distribution modes, including snowdrifts caused by the local and overall roof forms. The snow distribution under a specific inflow direction could be derived from the weighted combination of the basic characteristic modes, based on the wind direction coefficients. Therefore, it is possible for the snow load on a complex roof to be estimated preliminarily based on the snow distributions on several simple roofs.

show abstract

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Research on Snow Load Characteristics on a Complex Long-Span Roof Based on Snow–Wind Tunnel Tests

Zhang

Fan

et al. 2019

Applied Sciences

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Moreover, the structure of the equipment is assembly type, which is convenient for disassembly, removal, and transformation. A stable wind speed range of 0.5 to 11.5 m/s was used in the test section and natural snow particles were used in the experiments [22].…”

Section: Experimental Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiment Investigation and Numerical Simulation of Snowdrift on a Typical Large‐Span Retractable Roof

Cao

Liu

2019

Complexity

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Retractable roofs are commonly used in designing large-span stadiums because of their versatility. However, retractable roofs are subject to sudden changes in shape, and thus, factors in addition to those considered for conventional roofs need to be taken into account. In particular, retractable roofs are considerably more sensitive to snow loads because their shapes are complex, and snowdrift on roofs may lead to difficulties for the operating of retractable roofs. To investigate the distribution of snow on retractable roofs, this study proposes a method based on a numerical simulation of snowdrift obtained using the Euler–Euler method in multiphase flow theory. This numerical model employs a mixture model by using the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software FLUENT. A suitable turbulence model is selected for the simulation through verification against two-dimensional (2D) data obtained from field measurements reported in previous studies. However, the snow load on retractable roofs cannot be determined by a 2D distribution easily. The accuracy of predicting the overall distribution of snow load on roofs was verified by experiments conducted on a horizontally retractable roof. The results show that a nonuniform snow distribution on such roofs is distinct and should be considered.

show abstract

“…In the study of snow distribution, numerical simulations and wind tunnel tests should be verified by field observations. For this purpose, a snow-wind combined experiment facility as shown in Figure 1a has been constructed at the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) to produce stable wind fields to investigate snow distribution [28] The climatic characteristics of the winter months in Harbin provide convenient conditions for the experiments. Harbin has a long winter, which can last for almost six months, with snowy conditions and a temperature range from −30 • C to 0 • C. The location of the facility is shown in Figure 1b.…”

Section: Brief Introduction Of the Facilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling of the Snowdrift in Cold Regions: Introduction and Evaluation of a New Approach

et al. 2019

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Unbalanced, or non-uniform, snow loads caused by snow drifting or sliding in cold regions with heavy snowfalls, can be a serious problem for the building industry. However, the methods for predicting snow distribution still need to be improved. Field observation is the most direct and reliable method to study snow distribution, but because the natural environment is uncontrollable and varies dramatically, sometimes conclusions may be confused under the influence of the many variables in the investigation. This paper proposes a snowing experiment approach using an outdoor snow–wind combined experiment facility for the study of snow distribution. The facility can produce a stable and controllable wind field and snowfall environment. Experiments which focused on snowdrift around a building were conducted during the winter to make an evaluation of the repeatability and reliability of the new approach. Finally, from the analysis of results, it was demonstrated that the experimental facility was stable and that the similarity criterion adopted for the snowing pattern was reliable. Especially, the minimum value of the friction speed ratio was suggested to ensure the test accuracy.

show abstract

Experiments on natural snow distribution around simplified building models based on open air snow-wind combined experimental facility

Cited by 29 publications

References 24 publications

Research on Snow Load Characteristics on a Complex Long-Span Roof Based on Snow–Wind Tunnel Tests

Research on Snow Load Characteristics on a Complex Long-Span Roof Based on Snow–Wind Tunnel Tests

Experiment Investigation and Numerical Simulation of Snowdrift on a Typical Large‐Span Retractable Roof

Modeling of the Snowdrift in Cold Regions: Introduction and Evaluation of a New Approach

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About