Wind Tunnel Tests and Numerical Simulations of Wind-Induced Snow Drift in an Open Stadium and Gymnasium

A long-span sports centre generally comprises multiple stadiums and gymnasiums, for which mutual interference effects of wind-induced snow motion are not explicitly included in the specifications of various countries. This problem is addressed herein by performing wind tunnel tests and numerical simulations to investigate the snow distribution and mutual interference effect on the roofs of long-span stadiums and gymnasiums. The wind tunnel tests were used to analyse the influences of the opening direction (0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees) and spacing (0.3 L, 0.5 L, 1 L, 1.5 L, 2 L, and 2.5 L, where L is the gymnasium span) of the stadium and gymnasium. The wind tunnel tests and numerical simulations were used to analyse the influence of the wind direction angle (from 0 degrees to 315 degrees, there are a total of eight groups in 45 degrees intervals). The following results were obtained. The stadium opening had a significant effect on the snow distribution on the surface of the two structures. An even snow distribution was obtained when the stadium opened directly facing the gymnasium, which corresponded to the safest condition for the structures' surfaces. As the spacing between the buildings increased, the interference effect between the two structures was reduced. The interference was negligible for a spacing of 2 L. The stadium had the most significant amplification interference effect on the gymnasium for a wind direction angle of 45 degrees, which was extremely unfavourable to the safety of the structure. The most favourable wind direction angle was 270 degrees, where there were both amplification interference and blockage interference.