The Wind Tunnel Study of the Influence of Terrain and Surrounding Structures on the Distribution of Wind Pressure on a Chimney

Abstract The value of the total aerodynamic resistance of the structure is depended on the values of the highly variable coefficients of external pressure, the quantification of which is a typical task of aerodynamics of structures solved on a rigid model in a wind tunnel. The aim of the paper is to analyze the distribution of wind pressure on a 150 m high chimney of a nuclear power plant. Due to today’s changing climate and the emergence of unwanted windstorms, it is necessary to pay increased attention to tall and slender structures, where the effects of wind play an important role. The effect of wind, the influence of the terrain and surrounding structures has a significant impact on the safety of the chimney, which is a part of the nuclear power plant, where increased safety is required not only for the chimney itself but also for buildings in its immediate vicinity. Surrounding structures can modify wind flow and cause increased chimney load. Experimental measurements were performed in the STU BLWT wind tunnel in Bratislava, where the influence of the changing terrain, as well as the influence of the surrounding objects on the external wind pressure coefficients at different altitude levels were monitored.