PI | |
Project Type | Experimental |
Natural Hazard Type(s) | Wind |
Facilities | |
Awards | Collaborative Research: Hybrid Experimental-Numerical Methodology and Field Calibration for Characterization of Peak Wind Effects on Low-Rise Buildings and Their Appurtenances | 1825908 | NSF |
Keywords | Dynamic Effects, Full-scale, Wall of Wind, Partial Turbulence Simulation, Wind, Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems |
The accurate estimation of wind loading on rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems is an ongoing challenge with the aim of improving the resilience of these systems to extreme wind events. Previous studies have proven that PV systems are flexible structures susceptible to wind induced vibrations that lead to the amplification of the wind loading. The purpose of this research is to improve the estimation of peak wind loading by demonstrating the effectiveness of the previously developed advanced PTS method in predicting the total wind loading, which includes background and resonant components. Experimental tests on the full-scale PV array model of the Hogue Technology Center (HTC) at Central Washington University (CWU) building were performed at the NSF-NHERI Wall of Wind (WOW) Experimental Facility (EF) at Florida International University (FIU). This study results in a validated and improved method for the estimation of peak wind effects on low-rise buildings and their non-structural components.