Effect of Arch Height on Wind Load in Dome Buildings

In the optimal design of the dome buildings, which is usually constructed to cover vast spaces without using the interior support, the outer shell curved shape plays an important role in the architectural approach, bearing capacity, and structural strength in vertical and lateral loads. Therefore, the designer for optimum design, in addition to beauty, should pay attention to the effect of the form of the structure on the load capacity of vertical and lateral loads in conjunction with the construction site condition. In this article the effect of arch in domes against wind is studied numerically. For this purpose, domes with fixed height – diameter proportion in type C ground and with the speed and turbulence intensity matching ASCE7 regulations are numerically simulated and the amounts of pressure coefficients (Cp) are represented on central line corresponding to wind direction and the rings around the dome with different heights including 0, 25h, 0.5h, 0.75h and h. The results of study indicate the great effects of arch height in pressure coefficient and the percent of under pressure surface and section on domes.