Mean and Peak Wind Loads on Heliostats

Abstract

Mean and peak wind loads on flat rectangular or circular heliostats were measured on models in a boundary layer wind tunnel which included an atmospheric surface layer simulation. Horizontal and vertical forces, moments about horizontal axes at the ground level and at the centerline of the heliostat, and the moment about the vertical axis through the heliostat center were measured. Results showed that loads are higher than predicted from results obtained in a uniform, low-turbulence flow due to the presence of turbulence. Reduced wind loads were demonstrated for heliostats within a field of heliostats and upper bound curves were developed to provide preliminary design coefficients.