A parametric study for free vibration analysis of hyperbolic cooling towers on elastic foundation using consistent FEM-Vlasov model

The main purpose of this paper is to apply the modified Vlasov foundation model to free vibration analyses of hyperbolic cooling towers resting on elastic foundations. Moreover, the influence of some characteristic parameters such as thickness, height, curvature and throat level on the frequency response of cooling towers on elastic foundations is investigated. For this purpose, a computing tool coded in MATLAB employing open application programming interface feature of SAP2000 to provide two-way data flow during execution is used to perform the analyses of hyperbolic cooling towers with supporting columns over hollow annular rafts founded on elastic subsoil. The circumferential, lateral and extensional natural frequency parameters of cooling towers are presented in tabular and graphical forms to evaluate the effects of the geometric parameters and soil-structure interaction. As far as numerical examples are considered, it can be concluded that the soil-structure interactive behavior of the tower leads to a remarkable decrease in the frequency parameter of the system compared to the fixed based condition. Moreover, the frequency parameters are considerably affected by altering geometrical parameters.