Journal of Wind Engineering

and Industrial Aerodynamics 65 (I 996) 77-86

Aerodynamic effects on a non-typical steel chimney

120 m high
R. Ciesielski*, A. Flaga, J. Kawecki
Crncow Universip of’Technology, ul. Warszawsku 24. PL-31.155 Cracow, Poland

Abstract

Two identical steel chimneys, 120 m high were erected about 5 years ago. During exploitation
of the chimneys, occurrence of considerable cross vibrations of the whole supporting structure
and of the chimney shaft were noticed. Similar observation results were obtained for each of
these chimneys. Observation results constituted the basis for carrying out a computational
analysis, which aimed at determination of the causes of occurrence of this phenomenon and
finding the possibility of reduction of chimney vibration. Results of these detailed analysis are
presented and confronted with observation results. In order to eliminate considerable chimney
vibrations caused by the described aerodynamic phenomenon, specially designed turbulizers
and, subsequently, mechanical vibration dampers were applied. Effects of the treatments will be
presented in the paper.

1. Technical information on the object

Two steel chimneys of non-typical structure, each 120 m high, have been erected in
the territory of an industrial plant. The chimney shaft of each of them, of outer
diameter D = 1820 mm, rests on a supporting steel structure. The pipe segments of the
chimney shaft were screwed together. The supporting structure consists of a vertical
pipe of 1820 mm outer diameter and two other pipes of 1016 mm outer diameter. In
the lower part of the structure (up to the level of + 72.5 m), the longitudinal axes of
these two pipes are slant (consituting braces) and vertical in the upper part of the
structure. Inside the vertical pipe of the supporting structure there is a staircase
permitting transportation to the gallery. The pipes of the supporting structure are
connected by means of lateral braces on eight levels at the galleries. The chimney shaft
is connected with the supporting structure in such a way that its vertical displace-
ments independent of the structure are possible (guides resting on rollers). Horizontal

*Corresponding author

0167.6105/96/$15.00 d‘ 1996 Elsevier Scuxcc B.V. All rights rcservcd.

PII SO167-6105(97)00024-X
78 R. Ciesielski et al.iJ. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn. 65 (1996) 77-86

Fig. 1. Scheme of the elements of the supporting structure.

load of the chimney shaft is transmitted by the gallery onto the supporting structure.
The pipes are 10 mm thick, only the pipes constituting the braces in the upper part
(vertical) are 8 mm thick. A scheme of the elements of the supporting structure is
shown in Fig. 1. The northern direction is marked in the scheme. The chimneys stand
apart at a distance of about 500 m.

2. Observations of chimney behaviour and measurement results

After the chimneys had been realized, the user found that considerable vibra-
tions of the supporting structure occurred sporadically. It followed from preliminary
 R. Ciesielski et a1.f.I Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn. 65 (1996) 77-86 79

Fig. 2. Measurement points (Tl and T2).

observations of the user that:

- vibration occurred at low wind velocities and mostly early in the morning after
a frosty night and sunny morning,
~ occurrence of considerable vibrations did not exceed 30 min,
~ geodetical measurements of movement amplitudes were made during vibration
vanishing: amplitudes of such measurements were not significant (12-15 cm).
Look-over of the structure carried out after 2 years revealed the following damages:
~ rupture of some screws joining the chimney shaft segments,
~ crack of steel weldings at a length of 75% of the circumference of the brace pipe in
the bending place of the longitudinal axis of this pipe.
In 1992, a video film was made on which the described phenomenon was recorded.
During recording the wind blew from the south-west side at low velocity of the order
of 10 m/s, whereas the amplitude of movements was about 1 m. Vibration occurred
with frequency of about 0.5 Hz.
After the mentioned damages had been found, necessary repairs were made. An
attempt was undertaken at elucidation of the causes of occurrence of this phenom-
enon and the means of vibration reduction were looked for. Dynamic investigations of
the whole structure were performed. Measurement points (cf. Fig. 2) were chosen on
the chimney shaft. At two points (Tl and T2), measurements of deformations were
performed by placing electroresistant tensometers. Measurement points Tl and T2
were chosen at the height of 2 m above the base of the chimney shaft. Structure
vibrations during investigations were induced by a controlled movement of two
people swaying at the highest gallery of the chimney.
Investigations of the frequency structure of the traces corresponding to point T2
(vibration in direction 4:) showed the presence of dominating components at 0.455,
0.880 and 2.251 Hz. A spatial system composed of different types of bar elements
80 R. Ciesielski et al./J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aero&w 65 (1996) 77-86

120.0 L

115.7

101.8

86.0

72.5

58.1

29.3

14.9
n2 = 0.606 Hz
OS, 777

Fig. 3. Modes and frequencies of free vibrations of the chimney

placed between 55 nodes was the adopted calculation model. The described model
was constructed by using the method of finite elements. Calculations permitted to
obtain consequent frequencies and shapes of free vibrations, of which the first three
are shown in Fig. 3. Dominating displacements in the y direction correspond to
frequency nr = 0.50 Hz, in the x direction to frequency n2 = 0.60 Hz and in the
y direction to frequency n3 = 0.843 Hz.

3. Analysis of causes of the described phenomenon

3.1. Vibrations caused by vortex shedding

The phenomenon of vortex shedding occurs also in structures composed of several

parallel bars of circular section. In consequence of proximity of the bars they come
into interaction. With regard to lack of possibility of testing the models in wind
tunnels and lack of reliable information in references concerning vortex excitation
phenomenon of such structures, various calculation analyses were carried out ad-
opting as initial data:
~ results of dynamic measurements (consequent free-vibration frequencies in trans-
verse y direction n, = 0.46 Hz, n2 = 0.88 Hz. n3 = 2.25 Hz).
~ value of the Strouhal number Sr = 0.25.
- different diameters D for determination of critical velocity equal, i.e. (a) diameter of
the chimney shaft (OS = 1.82 m), (b) diameter of the brace (D,, = 1.016 m),
 R. Ciesielski et al/J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aeroc$vz. 65 (1996) 77-86 81

Table 1
Critical velocities of vortex shedding for vibrations in plane O,,

Critical velocity D, = 1.82 m Db = 1.016 m D, = 3.416111

V,, (m/s)

I/“’
VI;) 6.41
3.35 3.58
1.87 12.02
6.29

v:;” 16.38 9.14 30.74

(c) diameter of the stipulated circular section including the chimney shaft and braces
(Dt = 3.416 m).
Possible critical velocities of vortex shedding determined from the formula

are given in Table 1.

As can be seen, the list of possible critical velocities of vortex shedding is. in the
analysed case, numerous. Six of them are less than 10 m/s.
Because the number of possible critical velocities of vortex shedding is in this case as
high as seven, the number of vibration cycles during a year is relatively high. Thus, the
probability of occurrence of fatigue phenomena is very high. The observed damages
confirm this statement.

3.2. Vibration caused by histable stream pow between the chimney shajt and braces

The phenomenon of bistable jet between two cylinders may appear when the line
joining the centers of these cylinders forms a small angle (5-10’) with the average wind
direction and the distance between the cylinders is less than 3.50. In the discussed case
no reliable basis is available which would permit to accept or reject this cause.

3.3. Vibrations oj’galloping type

The critical velocity of galloping was investigated by using the known formula
(cf. e.g. Ref. [l])

4mdn,,l
vg.cr = (2)
pD(ZCF/dcc)L’

where in the considered case, the following magnitudes were assumed: m = 100 000 kg
(substitutional mass of the structure), 6 = 0.06 (logarithmic decrement of damping),
nYl = 0.46 Hz (basic natural frequency), p = 1.23 kg/m3 (air density), D, = 1.82 m,
8CJdr: = ~ 1.60 (from extrapolation of results of experimental investigations
82 R. Ciesielski et al. /J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn. 65 (1996) 77-86

I-
Z
-

,-
I-
Fig. 4. Scheme of cooperation between the chimney shaft segment and the supporting structure

performed in wind tunnel, presented in Ref. [2]), L = H/2 = 60 m (substitutional

length of the chimney).
V g.cr = 51.4 m/s > V, = 20.0 m/s were then obtained.
It follows that vibrations of galloping type can be excluded as the cause of the
observed phenomenon.

3.4. Vibrations caused by jlow-structure interaction of a clearance type

The chimney shaft is connected with the galleries by means of rollers permitting free
thermal deformations of the chimney shaft in vertical direction. During in situ
investigations it was found that on some galleries clearances (gaps) occurred in
contact places, i.e. gaps between the rollers and the vertical guiders of the chimney
shaft ranging from several mm to 20 mm. Then, the scheme of cooperation of the
chimney shaft segment with the supporting structure would be on the gallery level
during vortex excitation as in Fig. 4.
In such a situation, dynamic properties of the chimney shaft as well as the whole
chimney are completely different. It is first of all a geometrically non-linear system.
The mechanism of vibration excitation caused by vortex shedding from the chimney
shaft may be e.g. as follows. Vortex excitation of the chimney shaft causes, first of all,
vibrations of the shaft itself. With regard to a high compliance of the chimney shaft to
vibrations (influence of clearances in connections). Amplitudes of these vibrations,
even at low wind speed, are large enough for the “lock-in” phenomenon to occur, i.e.
synchronization of vortex-shedding frequencies with the vibration frequency of the
 R. Ciesielski et al./J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn. 65 11996) 77-86 83

chimney shaft with a positive feedback between vibrations of the shaft and vortex
excitation. Subsequently, the vibrating chimney shaft causes vibrations of the whole
structure as a consequence of hitting the rollers. These causes a consequent vibration
increase of the chimney shaft itself and intensification of the effect of “flow ~ structure
interaction”. Since the vortex excitation in this case is localized mainly on the chimney
shaft, whose axis does not overlap the stiffness axis of the whole structure, hence,
increased torsional type of the whole structure would be expected. Such effects were
observed during intensive chimney vibrations at low wind velocities.
Considering also such a possibility of vibration excitation during repairs and
maintenance works of the chimney, all the clearances in connections were practically
eliminated. This treatment contributed to their considerable decreases; however, it did
not eliminate totally considerable lateral vibrations of the chimney.

4. Introduced ways of vibration reduction

With regard to the results of analysis given above, two means of vibration reduction
were proposed: (a) application of aerodynamic turbulizers. and (b) application of
mechanical vibration damper.
Considering the organizational and financial possibilities of the user of objects,
application of turbulizers at first on one chimney was decided. Turbulizers in form of
slats of cross dimensions 150 x 6 mm and length 900 mm were adopted (cf. Fig. 5). It
was assumed that these slats embraced by two bent steel elements will be mounted to

Spoiler-slat

Fig. 5. Turbulizers in form of slats

84 R. Ciesielski et al./J Wind Eng. Ind. AerodJfn. 65 (1996~ 77-86

I H 9.9
I I
[mls*.N]

Steel chimrq 120 m high

Without a damper
0.0015 . 1 With an optimum damper - - - -
K, = 14875 Nlm
M, = 2000 kg
0.0010 . C, = 1700 kg/s

01234567 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Fig. 6. Amplitude ~frequency characteristic jH9,81.

each pipe of the structure above 72.5 m, i.e. above the level of bending of the two pipes.
The line joining the centers of these slats is in the form of a spiral. After mounting the
turbulizers on one chimney it was found that on this chimney the described phenom-
enon, though decreased, was not totally eliminated. Evident transverse vibrations
occurred further on. In this situation, mounting of a mechanical vibration damper was
foreseen. This damper was mounted at the level + 115.7 m and its parameters were
determined according to the principles described in Ref. [3]. Fig. 6 shows the shape of
amplitude-frequency characteristics 1H,,, 1 corresponding to the highest situated
point “n” in the calculation model. Optimal parameters of the damper were deter-
mined as follows: mass A4, = 2000 kg, stiffness parameter K, = 14 875 N/m and
damping parameter C, = 1700 kg/m. About 8 times reduction of vibration amplitudes
of the chimney top is the predicted effect of application of vibration amplitudes of the
chimney top is the predicted effect of application of such a damper. The damper
(Fig. 7) designed in the Designing and Study Office of Radio and Television was
mounted on the structure in April 1993, and it has been working till now with no
complaints on the part of the user as to excessive vibrations of the structure. It is,
however, too early to give a final evaluation of its efficiency. Moreover, because of
three different means of vibration reduction employed (i.e. elimination of clearances.
turbulizers and mechanical damper), evaluation of the efficiency of each of them is
very difficult in reality.
Further, long-term observations are foreseen, which would probably give more
data of effectiveness of the whole damping arrangements.
 R. Ciesielski et al.,iJ. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodp. 65 (1996) 77-86 85

1690

Fig. 7. Mechanical damper on the structure (1,2 cf. Fig. 1).

References

[l] A. Flaga, Analysis of along-across and torsional wind effect on slender engineering structures in
stochastic formulation, Wydawnictwa Politechniki Krakowskiej, Monografia No 22, Krakhw. 1983,
[in Polish].
86 R. Ciesielski et al/J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn. 65 (1996) 77-86

[2] R. Joiwiak, Z. Wysocki, J.A. iuranski, Sensitivity of multi-flue chimneys to aeroelastic galloping
instability, Proc. Conf. Krynica, vol. I, 1991, pp. 67773 [in Polish].
[3] R. Ciesielski, J. Kawecki, R. Mastowski, Use of mechanical vibration dampers for decreasing
dynamic effects on tower structure, 16th Meeting of IASS Working Group for Masts and Towers,
Praha. 1993.