Peak Net Pressure Coefficients of Elliptical Center-Open Dome Roofs

Recently, the demand for spatial structures such as retractable dome roofs is increasing. The safety of dome roofs must be ensured even when they are open. Hence, studies analyzing the peak pressure coefficients of spherical dome roofs are actively being conducted. However, no peak pressure coefficients for the cladding design of elliptical retractable dome roofs have been proposed. Although several studies on elliptical open dome roofs that open from the edge to the center have been conducted, studies on those that open from the center to the edge are still insufficient. This study investigated the peak pressure coefficients of elliptical center-open dome roofs. For wind tunnel tests, a model was fabricated with an opening ratio of 30%. Under experimental conditions, five different wall height-to-span ratios (from 0.1 to 0.5) were used, with the roof rise-to-span ratio set at 0.1. Accordingly, the experimental values of the peak pressure coefficients of elliptical center-open dome roofs were compared with those of the closed dome roofs proposed in the Korean and Japanese wind load codes. Subsequently, their efficiency was verified. The findings were also compared with previous research outcomes. Based on the results, peak net pressure coefficients are proposed for cladding designs suitable for elliptical center-open dome roofs.