International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology

E-ISSN 0976-3945

Research Paper
STUDY OF WIND LOAD EFFECTS ON TALL RC CHIMNEYS
B. Siva Konda Reddy1 V.Rohini Padmavathi 2 Ch. Srikanth3

Address for Correspondence

Assistant Professor Dept. of Civil Engg., 2 PG Student JNTUH College of Engineering,

Hyderabad, A.P India
3
Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering, Samskruthi College of Engg & Tech Hyderabad, A.P India
ABSTRACT

Wind is essentially the large scale movement of free air due to thermal currents. It plays an important role in design of tall
structures because it exerts static and dynamic loads whose effects on a slender structure, such as a chimney are significant.
The wind load exerted at any point on a chimney can be considered as the sum of quasistatic and a dynamic load component.
This paper presents the Study of along and across wind effects on a 275m tall RCC lined chimneys for Ist & VIth wind zones
of India and the results indicate that in shell completed condition, for zone I (i.e basic wind speed 33m/s) across winds are
governing and for highest wind zone of VI (i.e basic wind speed 55m/s), along wind loads are governing rather than the
across wind loads. The analysis is carried out using STAAD PRO &MS excel spread sheets.
KEYWORDS RCC Chimney, Along & across wind, Vortex shedding, Different methods, Wind zones, Natural frequency.

1. INTRODUCTION:
A chimney is a system for venting hot flue gases or
smoke from a boiler, stove, furnace or fireplace to the
outside atmosphere. They are typically almost
vertical to ensure that the hot gases flow smoothly,
drawing air into the combustion through the chimney
effect. Chimneys are tall to increase their draw of air
for combustion and to disperse the pollutants in flue
gases over a greater area in order to reduce the
pollutant concentrations in compliance with
regulatory or other limits. The first industrial
chimneys were built in the mid 17th century when it
was first understood how they could improve the
combustion of a furnace by increasing the draft of air
into the combustion zone. As such, they played an
important part in the development of refractory
furnaces and a coal-based metallurgical industry, one
of the key sectors of the early Industrial Revolution.
Most 18th century industrial chimneys generally
located adjacent to a steam-generating boiler or
industrial furnace and the gases are carried to it with
ductwork. Chimneys with height exceeding 150 m
are considered as tall chimneys. However it is not
only a matter of height but also the aspect ratio when
it comes to classifying a chimney as tall. Today,
Reinforced Concrete is the dominant material used
for the construction of tall chimneys and for short
chimneys precast concrete with or without pre
stressing, Modern industrial chimneys consists of a
concrete windshield with a number of steel stacks on
the inside.
Wind is essentially the large-scale movement of free
air due to thermal currents. It plays an important role
in chimney design because of its capacity to transport
and disperse pollutants and also because it exerts
static and dynamic loads whose effects on a slender
structure, such as a chimney, are significant. It is very
difficult to predict wind effects precisely by
analytical procedures because of winds uncertain
variability and therefore a designer is forced to use
approximate design techniques.
2. OBJECTIVE:
The main objective of this paper is to get the
comparative study of along and across wind effects
IJAET/Vol.III/ Issue II/April-June, 2012/92-97

on a 275m high RCC twin flue chimney for two wind

zones (i.e Minimum basic wind speed of 33m/s in
zone I and Maximum basic wind speed of 55m/s in
zone VI). The 275m chimney as shown in Fig.1
consists of a self-supporting 275m tall twin flue RCC
chimney lined with mild steel and stainless steel
whose unit weight is 78.5 KN/m3. The Chimney shell
is discretized into 33 segments/zones along the height
for calculation purpose. STAAD.PRO is used for
calculation of the Natural frequency of the chimney
due to self-weight including lining. MS Excel spread
sheets are generated to calculate the wind loads, shear
forces and bending moments at different locations in
the chimney.
3. ESTIMATION OF WIND LOAD EFFECTS
ON A CHIMNEY:
3.1 ALONG WIND EFFECTS: Along-wind loads
are caused by the drag component of the wind force
on the chimney. This is accompanied by gust
buffeting causing a dynamic response in the
direction of the mean flow. Along-wind effect is due
to the direct buffeting action, when the wind acts on
the face of a structure. For the purpose of estimation
of these loads the chimney is modeled as a cantilever
fixed to the ground. The wind is then modeled to act
on the exposed face of the chimney causing
predominant moments in the chimney. Additional
complications arise from the fact that the wind does
not generally blow at a fixed rate. Wind generally
blows as gusts, this requires that the corresponding
loads and hence the response be taken as dynamic.
True evaluation of the along-wind loads involves
modeling the concerned chimney as a bluff body
having incident turbulent wind flow. However, the
mathematical rigor involved in such an analysis is not
acceptable to practicing engineers. Hence most codes
use an equivalent static procedure known as the
gust factor method (GFM). This helps in simplifying
the incident load due to the mean wind. The actual
wind load is calculated and the results are amplified
by means of a gust factor to take care of the dynamic
nature of the loading. The gust factor is defined as the
ratio of the expected peak load to the mean load.

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology

Fig-1. Section showing 275m tall RCC chimney

modeled in Staad Pro.
3.2 ACROSS WIND EFFECTS: Across -wind
loads are caused by the corresponding lift
component of the wind force on the chimney. This is
associated with the phenomenon of vortex shedding
which causes the chimney to oscillate in a direction
perpendicular to the direction of wind flow. The
across wind response of a chimney occurs mainly due
to vortex shedding and velocity dependent forces.
The across-wind response of tall slender structures in
atmospheric turbulence involves a number of
complex fluid-structure interaction phenomena. The
principal source of excitation arises from vortex
shedding, but if the motion induced is significant,
other velocity dependent forces begin to play an
important role. Further, the longitudinal and lateral
fluctuations in the approaching flow give rise to
across-wind buffeting forces. The shedding of
vortices is fairly regular in the sub critical range
when Reynolds number (Re) <3x105 and ultra-critical
range (Re>3x106), whereas it is random in the super
critical range (3x105<Re<3x106). Normally for
chimneys, Re is sub critical and this permits design to
be based on an assumption that the excitation is
periodic. When Re is super- critical, excitation is
random and the response being small, this case does
not generally control design. Across wind analysis of
chimney is required only if the critical wind speeds
for any mode of oscillation is less than the mean
design wind speed.

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behind the section. At a critical wind speed the point

of separation moves back and the vortex street
becomes narrower. At this wind speed the position of
point of separation is not stable and moves from one
point to the other. Because of this vortex shedding
across-wind oscillation takes place.
4. CALCULATION OF STATIC WIND LOAD:
4.1 Along wind load Simplified method (Peak
factor method):
Static wind pressure Pz, acting normal to the surface
of chimney shall be taken as specified in IS 875 (Part
3): 1987 for the appropriate wind zone, terrain and
topography. To determine the wind force acting at
different heights of chimney, the chimney shall be
divided into ten or more sections along its height.
The along wind load or drag force per unit height of
the chimney at any level shall be calculated from the
equation as per Clause No A-4.1 of IS 4998 (Part
1):1992.
Fz, = Pz CD d z
(1)
Where
Pz = design wind pressure obtained in accordance with IS
875 (part3):1987.
Z = height of any section of the chimney in m measured
from the top of foundation.
CD = diameter of chimney at height z in m.
d z = external diameter of chimney of Kth zone.
NOTE Take the appropriate factor depending upon the class of
the structure as defined in the IS 875 (part3):1987.

4.2 Along wind load Random response method

(Gust factor method):
The along wind load per unit height at any height z
on a chimney shall be calculated from the equation:
Fz = Fzm + Fzf
(2)
Where, Fzm is the wind load in N/m height due to
Hourly mean wind speed at height z and is given by:
Fzm = Pz CD d z
(3)
Fzf is the wind load in N/m height due to the
fluctuating component of wind at height z and is
given by:
(4)
Fzf = 3 (G-1)/H2 (z/H) 0H Fzm z d z
Pz=Design pressure at height z, due to HMW is
obtained as 0.6V2 z (N/m2)
G = 1+gr r {B+SE/}
gr = Peak factor defined as the ratio of the expected
peak value to RMS of the fluctuating load
= (2 logevT) + 0.577/ (2logeVT)
VT = 3600f1/(1+B/SE)1/2
r = twice the turbulence intensity
0.622-0.178 log10H
B = [1 + (H/265)0.63]-0.88
E=[123(f1/V10)
H0.21]/[1+330f1/V10]2
H0.42]0.83
S= size reduction factor
= [1 + 5.78 (f1/V10)1.14 H0.98]-0.88
V10 = hourly mean wind speed in m/s at 10m above ground
level=Vb k2
f1 = natural frequency of chimney in the first mode of
vibration in HZ

Fig.2 Vortex formation due to wind

Figure-2 shows how the airflow pattern changes with
increase in wind speed. At low wind speed two
stationary vortices form immediately behind the
section. As air speed increases the vortices detach
themselves alternately, forming a vortex street
IJAET/Vol.III/ Issue II/April-June, 2012/XXXX

5. CALCULATION OF DYNAMIC WIND

LOADS
5.1 Across wind load Simplified method:
The amplitude of vortex excited oscillation
perpendicular to direction of wind for any mode of
oscillation shall be calculated by the formula:

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology

H

oi =

d z zi d z
0

(5)

2
zi

oi = peak tip deflection due to vortex shedding in the ith

mode of vibration in m
d z = external diameter of chimney.
CL= peak oscillatory lift coefficient to be taken as 0.16
H = height of chimney in m.
Ksi = mass damping parameter for the ith mode of vibration
Sn= Strouhal number to be taken as 0.2
zi= mode shape function normalized with respect to the
dynamic amplitude at top of the chimney in the ith mode of
vibration

Calculation of mass damping parameter (Ksi ) :

Periodic response of the chimney in the ith mode of
vibration is very strongly dependent on
dimensionless mass damping parameter Ksi
calculated by the formula:

K si =

2m ei . s
.d 2

(6)

mei= equivalent mass per unit length in kg/m in the ith

mode of vibration, as defined in A-4.2.3
s= logarithmic decrement of structural damping=2
= structural damping as a fraction of critical damping to
be taken as 0.016
= mass density of air to be taken as 1.2kg/m3
d = effective diameter taken as average diameter over the
top 1/3 height of chimney in m

Calculation of Equivalent mass per unit length

(mei):
The equivalent mass per unit length in ith mode of
vibration (mei ) shall be calculated by the formula:
H

mei =

2 dz
zi

s
H

(7)

zi

oi =

1 . 25 C L d Hi d

2 S n2

{ ( L ) / 2 ( I + 2 )
m ei

[1 / H

2
zi

d z ]( k a d

/ m ei

(9)
oi= peak tip deflection due to vortex shedding in the ith
mode of vibration
CL = RMS lift coefficient to be taken as 0.12
L = Correlation length in diameters, which may be taken
as 1.0 in the absence of field data.
Ka= Aero dynamic damping coefficient to be taken as 0.5

Calculation of shear force and Bending Moment:

The sectional shear force and bending moment (Mzoi)
at any height z0, for the ith mode of vibration, shall be
calculated from the following equations:
H

Fzoi = 4 2 f12 oi m z zi d z

(9)

zo

Where

The amplitude of vortex excited oscillation

perpendicular to direction of wind for any mode of
oscillation shall be calculated by the formula:

dz

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When the mass per unit length has to be used in a

numerical method of integration, it is recommended
that the mass of the segment above section
considered be added to the mass of the segment
below the section and the total mass so obtained
divided by the total length of the two segments.
5.2 Across wind load Random response method:
Calculation of across wind load is made by first
calculating the peak response amplitude at the
specified mode of vibration (usually the first or
second). The relevant expressions for chimneys with
taper less than or equal to 1 in 50 in Eq 16 below
respectively.
Taper is defined as {2(dav-dtop)/H} where dav is the
average outer diameter over the top half of chimney
and dtop is the outer diameter at top.
1. For chimneys with little or no tapper (i.e. If the
average Taper over the top one third height is
less than or equal to 1 in 50)- The modal
response, at a critical wind speed shall be
calculated by the formula:

Vcri =

f1d
Sn

(8)

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M zoi = 4 2 f12oi mzzi ( z zo)d z

(10)

zo

Where
f1= natural frequency of the chimney in Hz in the mode of
vibration
mz= mass per unit length of the chimney at section z in
kg/m

Calculation of Natural Frequency of Vortex

Shedding:
The frequency of vortex shedding can be calculated
from the equation:

f1 =

S nV
d co

(11)

S= Strouhal number assumed as 0.2

V= Wind speed (Ve-at resonance) in m/s. and
dco= Outside diameter of chimney at 1/3 height from
top in m.
6. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Keeping all basic design parameters of chimney
(shell height, top and bottom diameter of the shell)
constant a comparison of wind pressures for along
wind and across wind, associated shear forces,
bending moments, deflections in each wind zone are
presented table 1 & in the Fig 3 to Fig 8. The results
are compared with respect to the values of along
wind (simplified method) as datum in each zone.
6.1 Wind load Effects in wind Zone I:
From figures 3, 4& 5, it is observed that the shear
force, bending moment and deflections at critical
section in a chimney located in wind zone I are very
high in across wind condition (SFM).These values
are increased by 137%, 161%, & 96.50%
respectively compared to simplified method. At the
base of the chimney shear force, bending moment
and deflections are increased by 33%, 48% & 93.0%
respectively.
6.2 Wind load Effects in wind Zone VI:
From figures 6, 7& 8, it is observed that the shear
force, bending moment and deflections at critical
section in a chimney located in wind zone VI are
very high in along wind condition (GFM).These
values are increased by 41%, 44% & 44%

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology

respectively compared to simplified method. At the
base of the chimney shear force, bending moment
and deflections are increased by 21%, 31% & 51%
respectively.
7. CONCLUSIONS

At critical section (i.e 1/2 to 1/3rd height

from top), across wind methods are
maximum than the along wind methods.
This is due to the reason that at critical
section, vortex shedding effect on chimney
structure will be more.

The shear force, bending moment and the

deflection in the across wind methods are
same in both the zones due to this reason,
the across wind calculation is directly

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proportional to the weight of the chimney,

frequency and its mode shapes, but not on
the wind speed. Hence across wind load is
not increasing with the increasing wind
speed.
For zone I, The shear force bending moment
and deflection are maximum and governing
in across wind (SFM).
For zone VI, along wind methods are
increased with increasing wind speed. The
shear force bending moment and deflection
are maximum and governing in along wind
(GFM).

TABLE 1- Comparison of wind load effects for I and VI wind zones for a 275m tall RCC chimney
S.NO

DESCRIPTION
At top

ZONE I
Critical
section

At bottom

At top

ZONE VI
Critical
section

At bottom

Along wind(simplified method)

1

Basic speed(m/s)

Design wind pressure(N/m2)

33

55

1274

1194

685

3744

3512

2014

Shear force(kN)

15

1440

4060

13

4240

11920

Bending Moment (kNM)

69430

595960

204030

1751390

Deflection (mm)

166

72

213

487

Along wind(gust factor method)

1

Design wind speed(N/m2)

Shear force(kN)

Bending Moment (kNM)

Deflection (mm)

837

767

356

2461

2255

1045

1600

4120

5950

14430

78590

631130

293070

2278260

190

88

698

321

Across wind(simplified method)

1

Shear force(kN)

Bending Moment (kNM)

Deflection (mm)
Across wind(Random response
method)

Shear force(kN)

Bending Moment (kNM)

Deflection (mm)

150

2970

4140

15

2970

4140

179990

865670

179990

865670

326

139

326

122.50

1860

2580

9.13

1860

2580

112490

541040

112490

541040

204

87

204

87

Figure-3 Variation of shear force for different methods along height in wind Zone I

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International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology

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Figure-4 Variation of Bending moment for different methods along height in wind Zone I

Figure-5 Variation of Chimney Deflection for different methods along height in wind Zone I

Figure-6 Variation of shear force for different methods along height in wind Zone VI

Figure-7 Variation of Bending moment for different methods along height in wind Zone VI
IJAET/Vol.III/ Issue II/April-June, 2012/XXXX

International Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology

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.
Figure-8 Variation of Chimney Deflection for different methods along height in wind Zone VI
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3.
4.

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IJAET/Vol.III/ Issue II/April-June, 2012/XXXX

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Earth sciences and Engineering, October 2011, pp. 508511.

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