Wind tunnel model test of large rectangular billboards | |
| Author | Suksit Sinthuwong |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.ST-04-01 |
| Subject(s) | Wind tunnel models Billboards |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. ST-04-01 |
| Abstract | Since billboards have large frontal areas and are generally elevated to high positions above ground, thus they have to resist wind load primarily besides the gravitational load. Until now, there is a limited number of research studies relating to wind loads on elevated billboards and they are not extensively incorporated in design codes. In addition, being a large structure, the collapse of billboard may result in losses of lives and assets. Accordingly, further study on this issue is essential. However, full-scale measurements on such large and high structures are impractical and uneconomical, therefore, wind tunnel model tests were employed in present study to investigate characteristics of wind loads on rectangular billboards. Before the model tests, natural wind was completely simulated in the wind tunnel employing a combination of triangular spires and roughness elements. This experiment utilized high-frequency force balance technique to measure forces and moments at the model base in order to determine aerodynamic coefficients. Rigid scaled billboard models were designed and made with a length scale factor of 1:200 corresponding to that of the simulated wind flow. Nine rectangular billboards varying with aspect ratios (ratio of width/depth) and clearance ratios (ratio of depth/height) were tested for a range of wind directions to investigate their effects on aerodynamic coefficients, horizontal and vertical eccentricities of wind loads. The experimental results were found to be compatible with earlier works. In codification, it was observed that design codes generally recommended conservative values, however, a deviation existed. Therefore, appropriate and practical design data were proposed, based on the test results. |
| Year | 2004 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. ST-04-01 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Structural Engineering (STE) /Former Name = Structural Engineering and Construction (ST) |
| Chairperson(s) | Pennung Warnitchai; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Tatsa, Elisha Z. ;Barry, William J. ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | The Royal Thai Government; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2004 |