Scholarlink

<p>The idealization of support boundary conditions for a hyperbolic cooling tower shell has a significant influence on its static and dynamic responses. In the present study, free vibration, static (gravity loads), and seismic analyses are performed to investigate the structural behaviour of the cooling tower. The modelling and analysis are carried out using ANSYS software, considering two support conditions: a fixed base and A-type column supports. The free vibration analysis is conducted to determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the structure. Further, the free vibration behaviour of the cooling tower shell is studied for varying shell thicknesses, focusing on specific vibration modes. The structural response under gravity and seismic loads is evaluated in terms of meridional displacements, hoop forces, and meridional forces. A Response Spectrum Analysis (RSA) is performed for a ground acceleration of 0.5&#xa0;g, assuming the cooling tower rests on soft soil. The results indicate that the natural frequencies of the shell with a fixed base differ by approximately 10%–15% in the initial modes and 40%–50% in the higher modes compared to the column-supported cooling tower shell. It is also observed that, for the fixed-base shell, the natural frequencies of the first lateral, torsional, and ovalization modes remain largely unaffected by variations in shell thickness. In contrast, the column-supported shell exhibits noticeable changes in these frequencies with varying thickness. For gravity load analysis, the meridional forces show no significant variation between the two boundary conditions. However, the hoop forces are markedly affected, increasing by up to 65% at the shell–column junction, decreasing to about 10% at (1/5)<sup>th</sup> of the total height from the base, and becoming negligible above the throat level. From the seismic analysis, it is observed that the meridional displacements in the column-supported cooling tower are considerably higher ranging from 8% to 90% compared to those in the fixed-base shell. The meridional forces are also significantly influenced along the shell height, varying by 60%–80% under both boundary conditions.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Comparative study of cooling tower shell on fixed base and A- type column supports subject to seismic loading

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月5日

查看全文
  • Sachin R Kulkarni,
  • Shivanand Mendigeri

摘要

The idealization of support boundary conditions for a hyperbolic cooling tower shell has a significant influence on its static and dynamic responses. In the present study, free vibration, static (gravity loads), and seismic analyses are performed to investigate the structural behaviour of the cooling tower. The modelling and analysis are carried out using ANSYS software, considering two support conditions: a fixed base and A-type column supports. The free vibration analysis is conducted to determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the structure. Further, the free vibration behaviour of the cooling tower shell is studied for varying shell thicknesses, focusing on specific vibration modes. The structural response under gravity and seismic loads is evaluated in terms of meridional displacements, hoop forces, and meridional forces. A Response Spectrum Analysis (RSA) is performed for a ground acceleration of 0.5 g, assuming the cooling tower rests on soft soil. The results indicate that the natural frequencies of the shell with a fixed base differ by approximately 10%–15% in the initial modes and 40%–50% in the higher modes compared to the column-supported cooling tower shell. It is also observed that, for the fixed-base shell, the natural frequencies of the first lateral, torsional, and ovalization modes remain largely unaffected by variations in shell thickness. In contrast, the column-supported shell exhibits noticeable changes in these frequencies with varying thickness. For gravity load analysis, the meridional forces show no significant variation between the two boundary conditions. However, the hoop forces are markedly affected, increasing by up to 65% at the shell–column junction, decreasing to about 10% at (1/5)th of the total height from the base, and becoming negligible above the throat level. From the seismic analysis, it is observed that the meridional displacements in the column-supported cooling tower are considerably higher ranging from 8% to 90% compared to those in the fixed-base shell. The meridional forces are also significantly influenced along the shell height, varying by 60%–80% under both boundary conditions.