Use of the Wind Tunnel Test Method for Obtaining Design Wind Loads on Roof-Mounted Solar Arrays
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 2
Abstract
ASCE 7 does not provide design wind loads for roof-mounted solar panels. This paper discusses the use of the wind tunnel test method, called Method 3 in ASCE 7-05, which was originally intended for obtaining design wind loads for individual buildings. Because roof-mounted solar arrays are generally mounted in many configurations on many buildings of many different shapes, additional requirements are necessary to use Method 3 in this situation. The paper describes these additional requirements.
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Acknowledgments
G. A. Kopp is grateful to SunLink Corp. for the use of the data presented herein and to Mr. Chris Tilley and Mr. Rob Ward for many useful discussions pertaining to codification and design issues for roof-mounted solar arrays.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 2 • February 2013
Pages: 284 - 287
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 14, 2011
Accepted: May 16, 2012
Published online: May 18, 2012
Published in print: Feb 1, 2013
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