Retrofitting Strategies for Enhancing Wind Resilience of Minor Structures: A Numerical Investigation

Abstract

The collapse of a tensile fabric parking shelter with an arched roof under severe wind loads is numerically analyzed in this study. Under simulated wind conditions, the project assesses the structural reactions and pinpoints the crucial failure sites using LS-DYNA's sophisticated finite element analysis capabilities. To create an accurate simulation model, the inquiry starts with a thorough site inspection, during which material samples and structural dimensions are gathered. The work effectively compares a comprehensive finite element model to the actual failure using LS-DYNA, which captures the intricate behaviors of the structural components under wind loads. Using this analysis, we pinpoint essential design flaws in the parking structure and suggest two repair plans to strengthen structural resistance against comparable wind-driven collapses. Additionally, the project creatively compares uplift on several canopy designs using wind tunnel testing, recommending the best design to reduce wind-induced damages. By improving our knowledge of wind dynamics and structural reaction, the investigation's conclusions not only shed light on the parking shed's particular collapse process but also advance the civil engineering discipline.

Keywords: LS-DYNA, Arched Roof, material model validation, benchmarking, retrofits, uplift, wind tunnel