Wind tunnel test and numerical simulation study on internal wind loading for super large cooling tower

The internal wind loading of a 220 m high super large cooling tower is studied by means of wind tunnel test and CFD numerical simulation, and the influence of parameters such as ventilation rate on internal pressure is taken into account. The results of present study show that the shortcomings of the rigidity model manometric experiment hardly have effect on test result of inner surface pressure. Meanwhile, it is found that internal wind loading is insensitive to wind speed and unaffected by test velocity. When cross baffle is installed at the bottom of tower, internal pressure appreciably decreases and the homogeneity of distribution along hoop and meridional is better. The max absolute value of internal pressure is found when the ventilation ratio of stuffing layers is 0%, and with the increases of ventilation ratio, the absolute value decreases slightly. However, the internal pressure changes slightly as the ventilation ratio greater than 10%. In general, the distributions of internal pressure along hoop and meridional are basically the same, the average pressure coefficient of -0.50 and fluctuating pressure coefficient of 0.045 are found in wind field of terrain category B, while -0.61 and 0.035 are found in uniform flow field respectively.