Wind-structure interaction simulations of wind induced ovalling vibrations in silo groups

Wind induced ovalling vibrations have been reported to occur on several empty, flexible silo structures in group arrangement. The focus in this paper is on the numerical prediction of this phenomenon by simulating the wind flow around a single silo and taking into account the interaction of the wind flow with the structural response. The importance of the 3D turbulent wind flow and wake effects on the aerodynamic pressures on the silo is investigated using 3D CFD simulations. The wind-structure interaction phenomenon is subsequently studied using a one-way coupling and a two-way coupling approach. The present results show reasonable qualitative agreement with observations.