Mean and Peak Wind Load Reduction on Heliostats

ABSTRACT:
The purpose of this study was to define wind load reduction factors for heliostats within a field of heliostats. The wind load reduction factors applied to both mean and peak wind loads and account for the protective effects of upwind heliostats, wind protective fences, or other blockage

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elements. The reason for finding methods to reduce wind loads is to improve the economy of the liostat support structures and drive mechanisms. These · elements will become more sensitive to wind loads as gravity loads decrease through stretched membrane or other innovative technology. The method used in the study was to generalize wind load data obtained during tests on model heliostats placed in a modeled atmospheric wind in a boundary-layer wind tunnel.

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