Wind load characteristics analysis of mast and jib of tower crane

The expression of wind load coefficient was defined. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulation of the tower crane in twelve wind angles under uniform and B category flow field was completed. The shape coefficient, the skewed wind coefficient and the wind pressure height coefficient of the tower mast and jib were calculated and compared with the design of different countries. Results show that the crosswind load of mast could be ignored under different wind angles, while the wind load of jib must be considered; the calculation method of the skewed wind coefficient for the mast is consistent with the design of steel structures in European standard, while it differs greatly with the design rules for cranes of China, thus it is effective to define the skewed wind coefficient of mast by the European standard; the skewed wind coefficient of the jib and mast is not sensitive to the different categories of wind flow fields; the influence of the aerodynamic shape of the tower crane makes the wind pressure height coefficient inconsistent under different wind direction angles, showing the amplification effect. The characteristics of the wind load coefficient can provide reference to the wind-resistant design. © 2018, Zhejiang University Press. All right reserved.