Numerical Determination of Wind Loads on a Parabolic Antenna

Abstract

The determination of aerodynamic loads on an antenna is essential for its structural design, as these loads directly affect the stresses the structure must withstand. In this context, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis serves as a key tool during the preliminary design stages, allowing for the evaluation of the aerodynamic behavior of a specific model and enabling potential redesigns without the need for physical prototypes in early development phases. This significantly contributes to cost and time reduction. The present work is framed within this pre-construction design stage of a parabolic antenna, with the aim of estimating the magnitudes of the stresses it will be subjected to. Once the CFD simulation results are obtained, a comparison is made with data available from reference studies on aerodynamic loads in similar structures, in order to assess their validity. Simulations were conducted for an incoming wind velocity of 46 m/s, with directions ranging from 0 to 180 degrees relative to the antenna’s axial axis. Drag, lift, and moment coefficients at the base anchorage are reported. The simulations were performed under steady-state conditions using the k-? SST (Shear Stress Transport) turbulence model. An implicit, pressure-based, coupled solver with second-order discretization schemes was employed.