Design Wind Pressure Coefficients for Spherical Domes

Abstract

The characteristics of the external pressures acting on spherical domes have been investigated based on the data obtained from a series of wind-tunnel measurements in simulated atmospheric boundary layers. The dome surface is divided into three or four areas, based on the characteristics of pressure distribution. The external pressure coefficients for designing the structural frames and cladding are proposed as functions of the rise/span and eaves-height/span ratios for each area. The effect of the turbulence intensity of approach flow is taken into account for the windward area when the rise/span ratio is high.