| The
web seminar will discuss the wind design of roof-mounted and ground-mounted
solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays in accordance with ASCE 7 analytical
procedures. ASCE 7-10 and 7-05 do not contain a direct analytical method for
calculating wind loads on roof-mounted PV arrays on enclosed structures. The
Structural Engineers Association of California has developed guidelines in
Report SEAOC PV2-2012 for determining the wind loads for sloped PV arrays on
flat roofs of enclosed structures. This report provides the basis for
provisions for such solar structures being adopted into ASCE 7-16. The
recommendations in Report SEAOC PV2-2012 and their adoption into ASCE 7-16
will be discussed. ASCE 7 does have
design methods that can be easily applied for determining the static wind
loads on ground-mounted tilted PV arrays. However, these methods are not
ideal for optimizing wind loads on arrays of ground mounted PV structures, as
the load patterns are oversimplified for some load effects, and they are
intended for an isolated carport, rather than multiples rows of PV racking.
The implications will be discussed.The wind tunnel procedure in ASCE 7 will
also be discussed with emphasis on what constitutes an acceptable test method
to develop generalized wind loads.
Amendments in the International Building Code related to wind loads on
solar PV arrays will be briefly discussed. Examples for a PV array mounted near to and parallel to a sloped roof, sloped PV array on a flat roof, and a ground-supported array will be presented. |