Effects of sidewall openings on the wind loads on pipe-framed greenhouses

Wind pressures acting on the external and internal surfaces of a 1:40 scale model of pipe-framed greenhouse with porous sidewalls are measured simultaneously at many points in a turbulent boundary layer. Wind speeds at several points outside and inside the greenhouse model are also measured. The porosity of the sidewalls is changed over a wide range. The equivalent static wind force coefficients generating the maximum peak response are evaluated by using the LRC (Load Response Correlation) method, in which the bending moment developed in the frame at the windward column base is regarded as the most important load effect. The effects of porosity on the wind-induced response of the frame as well as on the wind speeds inside the greenhouse are discussed. The results indicate that the porosity of approximately 0.5 can reduce the maximum bending moment by approximately 20 percent without a significant increase in wind speed inside the greenhouse.