SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering (SSRG-IJCE) volume 3 Issue 8 August 2016

Non-Linear Seismic Analysis of Reinforced

Concrete Chimney
Remyasree A R1, Megha Vijayan2
1
M.Tech student, Department of Civil Engineering, Kannur University.
2
Asst. Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Kannur University.
Vimal Jyothi Engg.College, Chemperi, Kannur, Kerala.

Abstract The chimney is a system for venting hot therefore be treated separately from other forms of
flue gases or smoke from a boiler or furnace to the tower structure [9]. In order to prevent the collapse
outside atmosphere. They are typically almost vertical mechanism of the chimney structure seismic as well as
to ensure that the hot flue gases flow smoothly, the wind demands must be determined accurately. For
drawing air into the combustion through the chimney this reason, many evaluations such as nonlinear
effect. It is essential to determine the wind, seismic analysis of chimney structures are proposed for the
and temperature demands of chimney structures to accurate determination of inelastic behavior and
prevent structural problems which lead to collapse of seismic demands of the chimney.
the structure. This study focused the effect of wind This paper discusses the behaviour of 30 chimney
load, earthquake load as well as temperature effects models with 5 different heights varying from 275m to
on reinforced concrete (RC) chimneys. Wind analysis 400m.
was carried out by along wind effects by using the
Simplified method and seismic analysis by time history A. Objectives
analysis for different heights varying from 275m to
400m with three different radius-thickness ratios and To determine the effect of radius-thickness
for different longitudinal sections such as tapered and ratio of tall RC chimneys
partially tapered by using the software SAP2000v14. To evaluate the response of chimney
Analyses were conducted to study the variation of structures by wind analysis, seismic analysis
displacement and shell stress for the wind analysis, and temperature effects for various
peak displacement for the seismic analysis and deformation levels.
temperature effects. The results indicated that as the To compare the behaviour of different
radius-thickness ratio increases the displacement chimney models
values were decreasing. The RC chimney with more
height and the partially tapered section will be critical II. MODELING AND ANALYSIS
compared to fully tapered chimney for the wind,
seismic and temperature effects and fully tapered A. Modeling of the Structure
chimney structure exhibiting minimum displacement.
The chimneys are designed in this project are of
Keywords RC Chimney, Wind Analysis, Seismic five different heights. They are 275m, 300m, 325m,
Analysis, Temperature effects and SAP2000v14. 350m and 400m. The normal height adopted for
chimney in India is 275m. But thinking of stringent
I. INTRODUCTION environmental constraints in future this height may not
Tall chimneys are constructed as a result of the be sufficient for disposing the gaseous products as it
large-scale development of thermal power plant and will pose a serious threat causing air pollution. So
industries. Tall chimneys are commonly used to increasing the height of the chimney would be better
discharge pollutants into the atmosphere at a higher idea to meet out the environmental challenges.
elevation such that the pollutant which deemed Considering chimney as a thin shell structure, varying
harmful to the environment is kept within acceptable the radius-thickness ratio for three different values
limits [1]. Now a days to reduce the air pollution the such as 15, 20 and 25 the chimneys are modelling.
chimneys are constructed as much as tall. That is the The cross-section of the chimney used is circular. Two
height of the chimney has been increasing since the variations are shown in the profile such as 1.tapering
last few decades [2]. Chimneys with height exceeding from the bottom and become uniform at a height of
150 m are considered as tall chimneys. However it is one-third from the top of the structure.2.uniformly
not only a matter of height but also the aspect ratio tapering from bottom to the top of structure. The shell
when it comes to classifying a chimney as tall [4]. thickness at the top of the structure is taken as 0.4m
Today, Reinforced Concrete is the dominant material and the minimum bottom shell thickness is taken as
used for the construction of tall chimneys [7]. 0.6m as per clause 6.4.1 in CED 38 (7892) (Draft
Chimneys being tall slender structures, they have Indian Standard Code of Practice for Design of
different associated structural problems and must Reinforced Concrete Chimneys). The diameter of the

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 SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering (SSRG-IJCE) volume 3 Issue 8 August 2016

chimney is taken by considering the thickness and Cd - 0.8 (Drag coefficient)

radius-thickness ratio. Totally in this project 30 Dz - diameter at height z m
models are considered. The chimney structure is Pz - calculated wind pressure at z m height
modelling in SAP 2000 software. Material properties Pz = 0.6 Vz2
defined as M35 grade of concrete and Fe415 grade of Where,
steel. The elastic modulus considered is 35GPa and Vz Design wind speed
thermal loading depends upon the individual Vz = Vb k1k2 k3
requirements of chimney as per IS 4998(Part 1):1982 Where,
(Criteria for design of reinforced concrete chimneys). Vb=basic wind speed
The Poissons ratio and density considered are 0.15 k1= probability factor (risk coefficient)
and 25lkN/m3 respectively. The model of fully tapered k2= Terrain, height and structure size factor
275m height chimney with radius-thickness ratio is 15 k3= Topography factor
as shown in fig. 1. The value of Probability factor k1=1 from Table 1of IS
875:1987
The Terrain or height factor k2 is from Table 2 of IS
875:1987
Similarly Topography factor k3 = 1 is from Table 3 of
IS 875:1987

2) Seismic Analysis: Due to seismic action, an

additional load is acted on the chimney. It is
considered as vulnerable because chimney is tall and
slender structure. For analysis purpose, chimney is
behaved like a cantilever beam with flexural
deformations.
The various parameters considered for seismic
analysis is described. The chimney is located at level
ground and soil condition is hard (type1). The
chimneys are of more than 50m height so it is
Fig. 1 Fully tapered model (H=275m, classified as class C structures. The zone in which the
R/T=15) chimney is located is zone 3, Zone factor
Z=0.16(Trivandrum region) as given in IS1893:2005,
B. Analysis of the Structure Importance factor, I=1.5 as given in IS1893:2005 and
Important loads that a RC chimney often Response reduction factor, R=3.0 as given in
experiences are wind loads, earthquake loads and 1893:2005 (part-4).
temperature effects apart from self weight. Wind Time history analysis considering all the modes of
effects on chimney plays an important role on its the structure is assumed to give more accurate results
safety as RC chimneys are generally very tall when compared to other linear analysis procedures.
structures. The circular cross section of the chimney This includes the step by step numerical time
subjects to aerodynamic lift under wind load. Again integration of equation of motion by expressing the
seismic load is a major consideration for chimney as it relationship between the displacement and its time
is considered as natural load. This load is normally derivatives-velocity and acceleration. The Idukki
dynamic in nature. Here describes the wind load and earthquake was chosen for the analysis. Time histories
seismic load considering temperature effects on RC in all three directions were available for this
chimney. earthquake shown in fig. 2. The chosen accelerogram
is Idukki earthquake, December 12th, 2000, Kerala,
1) Wind Analysis: The concept of wind force magnitude of 5 and depth is 7km.
calculation is given in design code IS: 875(Part 3)-
1987. Using Simplified method along-wind load was
computed for each 10m height according to IS: 4998
(Part 1)-1992.Static analysis has been carried out for
wind load by considering chimneys were assumed to
be located in terrain category 2, class c structure and
subjected to a wind speed of 39m/s (by considering
Trivandrum region) as per IS: 875(Part 3)-1987. IS:
875(Part 3)- 1987 code gives wind speed , pressure
and forces on chimney structures.
From IS 875:1987 clause number 8.3 Fig. 2 Time History Motion Record
Force due to the wind pressure Fz = Cd Dz Pz
Where,

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 SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering (SSRG-IJCE) volume 3 Issue 8 August 2016

Consideration of thermal effects is important in

chimney analysis. Thermal loading assigned to
chimney structure depends upon the individual
requirements of chimney as per IS 4998(Part
1):1982.Temperature provided varies 130oC to 230oC
for 275m to 400m height thermal power plant
chimney structures.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

A. Wind Analysis Results

Fig. 4 Bar chart for displacement (models with
Wind analysis of chimney model was conducted
and results were taken to explain the performance of R/T=25)
chimney structures by considering the output Fig. 4 shows the bar chart for displacement at top
parameters like joint displacement and maximum shell of the chimney models, tapering from bottom to top
stress. and tapering from the bottom and becomes uniform at
1) Comparison of results by considering a height of one-third from the top of the structure,
displacement: were having 275m,300m,325m,350m and 400m
height and the radius-thickness ratio is 25.
From the fig. 4 it was observed that partially
tapered chimneys with R/T ratio is 25 have 29%
higher displacement values than that of fully tapered
chimneys.
From the graph we can reach the conclusion that
the chimney which is tapering from bottom to top has
lesser displacement value than that of the chimney
which is tapering from the bottom and becomes
uniform at a height of one-third from the top of the
structure. It also concluded that as the height increases
displacement also increases for fully tapered and
Fig. 3 Graph of Displacement/Height for 400m height partially tapered chimneys.
fully tapered chimney
2) Comparison of results by considering shell stress:
Fig. 3 shows the displacement vs height
relationship of chimney models, tapering from bottom
to top which is having 400m height, the radius-
thickness ratio for three different values such as 15, 20
and 25. The 400m height fully tapered chimney with
R/T ratio is 15(FTM5A) has maximum displacement
as 0.4618m. For 400m height fully tapered chimney
with R/T ratio is 20(FTM5B) and for 400m height
fully tapered chimney with R/T ratio is 25(FTM5C)
have maximum displacement as 0.2612m and
0.1689m respectively. Joint displacement value was
taken for each 10m height to plot the graph. Fig. 5 Bar chart for Maximum shell stress of 400m
From the fig. 3 it was clear that FTM5A has high height fully tapered chimney
displacement values than that of FTM5B and FTM5C. Fig. 5 shows the bar chart for maximum shell
The displacement value was decreased by 43% for stress of chimney models, tapering from bottom to top
FTM5B and 62% for FTM5C than that of FTM5A. which is having 400m height, the radius-thickness
Partially tapered chimney also shows the same ratio for three different values such as 15, 20 and 25.
configuration. From the fig. 5 it was clear that FTM5A has higher
From the graph we can conclude that the shell stress values than that of FTM5B and FTM5C.
displacement of chimney models decreases with The shell stress value was decreased by 23% for
increase of radius thickness ratio. FTM5B and 37% for FTM5C than that of FTM5A.
Obtained result for partially tapered chimney also
have same pattern.
From the graph we can conclude that shell stress in
chimneys decreases with increase of radius thickness
ratio.

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 SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering (SSRG-IJCE) volume 3 Issue 8 August 2016

Fig. 6 Bar chart for maximum shell stress (models Fig. 7 Graph of Displacement/Time for 275m height
with R/T=25) (R/T=25) fully tapered chimney

Fig. 6 shows the bar chart for maximum shell

stress of the chimney models, tapering from bottom to
top and tapering from the bottom and becomes
uniform at a height of one-third from the top of the
structure, were having 275m,300m,325m,350m and
400m height and the radius-thickness ratio is 25.
From the fig. 6 it was observed that 275m height
partially tapered chimney with R/T ratio is 25 has 14%
higher shell stress value than that of fully tapered
chimney. The 300m height partially tapered has 9.7%
Fig. 8 Graph of Displacement/Time for 275m height
higher shell stress value than fully tapered chimney.
(R/T=25) partially tapered chimney
For 325m height chimney it was 9.2% higher and Time history analysis is carried out for different
350m height chimney it was observed as 5.5% higher.
chimney models. The time and joint displacement plot
Then obtained shell stress value for 400m height
function of 400m chimney which is tapering from
partially tapered chimney was 1.9% higher than that of
bottom to top and the chimney which is tapering from
fully tapered chimney.
the bottom and becomes uniform at a height of one-
From the graph it is seen that the chimney which is
third from the top of the structure are shown in fig. 9
tapering from bottom to top has lesser shell stress and fig. 10 respectively.
value than that of the chimney which is tapering from
the bottom and becomes uniform at a height of one-
third from the top of the structure. It also concluded
that as the height increases shell stress was decreases
up to the height of 350m and for 400m height chimney
it was increasing for fully tapered and partially tapered
chimneys.

B. Seismic Analysis Results

Time history analysis of chimney models was
conducted and results were taken to explain the
performance of chimney structures by considering the
output parameter joint displacement and temperature
effects also considered for the analysis. Fig. 9 Graph of Displacement/Time for 400m height
(R/T=25) fully tapered chimney
1) Comparison of peak displacement values by time
history analysis: Time history analysis is carried out
for different chimney models. The time and joint
displacement plot function of 275m chimney which is
tapering from bottom to top and the chimney which is
tapering from the bottom and becomes uniform at a
height of one-third from the top of the structure are
shown in fig. 7 and fig. 8 respectively.

Fig. 10 Graph of Displacement/Time for 400m height

(R/T=25) partially tapered chimney

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 SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering (SSRG-IJCE) volume 3 Issue 8 August 2016

From these graphs it is concluded that the chimney uniform at a height of one-third from the top of the
which is tapering from bottom to top has lesser structure. It also concluded that as the height increases
displacement value than that of the chimney which is displacement also increases for fully tapered and
tapering from the bottom and becomes uniform at a partially tapered chimneys.
height of one-third from the top of the structure.

2) Comparison of displacement (seismic load + IV. CONCLUSIONS

temperature load): Following are the major conclusions drawn from
the analysis such as wind analysis and seismic
analysis.
The displacement of chimneys of different
height decreases with increase of radius
thickness ratio.
The chimney which is tapering from bottom
to top has lesser displacement value than that
of the chimney which is tapering from the
bottom and becomes uniform at a height of
one-third from the top of the structure.
The displacement of chimney structure is
Fig. 11 Graph of Displacement/Height for 400m increases with the height.
height fully tapered chimney Shell stress in chimneys decreases with
increase of radius thickness ratio.
Fig. 11 shows the displacement vs height Fully tapered chimney structure has lesser
relationship of chimney models, tapering from bottom shell stress value than that of partially tapered
to top which is having 400m height, the radius- chimney.
thickness ratio for three different values such as 15, 20
and 25.
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