Wind-induced interference effects on two adjacent cooling towers

This paper presents the results of experimental tests carried out in the boundary layer wind tunnel (BLWT) on a rigid model of two adjacent cooling towers. Pressures measured on the two towers were compared with those registered on an isolated tower. The variation of the flow-induced forces produced on each tower by the other one is referred to as interference. Using the registered pressures, numerical linear analyses were performed to calculate the structural responses of the isolated and grouped towers. The results obtained agree with those of other researchers and demonstrate the reliability of the procedure adopted to estimate wind-induced stresses on rigid structures in close proximity.