Mean and peak wind load reduction on heliostats

Technical Report · Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6048728· OSTI ID:6048728

Peterka, J A; Tan, L; Bienkiewcz, B; Cermak, J E

This report presents the results of wind-tunnel tests supported through the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) by the Office of Solar Thermal Technology of the US Department of Energy as part of the SERI research effort on innovative concentrators. As gravity loads on drive mechanisms are reduced through stretched-membrane technology, the wind-load contribution of the required drive capacity increases in percentage. Reduction of wind loads can provide economy in support structure and heliostat drive. Wind-tunnel tests have been directed at finding methods to reduce wind loads on heliostats. The tests investigated both mean and peak forces, and moments. A significant increase in ability to predict heliostat wind loads and their reduction within a heliostat field was achieved. In addition, a preliminary review of wind loads on parabolic dish collectors was conducted, resulting in a recommended research program for these type collectors. 42 refs., 38 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• OSTI ID: 6048728
• Report Number(s): SERI/STR-253-3212; ON: DE87012281
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140700 -- Solar Thermal Power Systems
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
DATA
DISHES
DYNAMIC LOADS
EQUIPMENT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HELIOSTATS
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SCALE MODELS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
STRESSES
STRUCTURAL MODELS
TUNNELS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
WIND
WIND LOAD REDUCTION
WIND LOADS
WIND TUNNELS