Title: Analysis of Hyperbolic Cooling Towers

Author(s): Kuang-Han Chu and Marvin Jones

Publication: Journal Proceedings

Volume: 66

Issue: 5

Appears on pages(s): 395-399

Keywords: cooling towers; dynamic loads; finite difference theory; hyperbolic shells; membrane stresses; stresses; structural design; wind loads.

DOI: 10.14359/7367

Date: 5/1/1969

Abstract:
Presents a method based on the finite difference technique for solving membrane stresses in hyperbolic cooling towers. The proposed method, as any other numerical method, has the advantage that it can be easily applied to any loading function and to shells of variable thickness, by simply modifying the loading functions at the mesh points. Other advantages are: it is conceptionally simple and it can be easily programmed for the computer. Better convergence will be obtained if the loading function is continuous both in value and in slope, and an accuracy of three significant figures can be expected for a mesh spacing of I deg and four significant figures for a mesh spacing of l/z deg. Application of the method is shown by a numerical example.