ANALYSIS AND

DESIGN OF
HYPERBOLIC
COOLING TOWER

1
Estimate wind pressure at the level of 10m, 20m,
30m, 50m, 100m, 150m and 160 m above ground
level with the help of (a) Peak wind method and (b)
Gust factor method for an isolated (singly built)
Hyperbolic Natural Draught Cooling Tower (NDCT)
used in 500 MW thermal power plant for cooling large
quantities of water (Refer figure) for the following
data. Also, plot wind pressure diagram and
circumferential net wind pressure distribution around
shell cross-section.
(i)The site of thermal power plant is located at Bellary
district in the state of Karnataka, India.
(ii) The ground is plain.

(iii) Wind incidence angle = 0°

(iv) Consider open terrain with well scattered
obstructions having heights generally between 1.5 to
10m around the Thermal Power Station (TPS)
location.
(v) Consider probable life of structure 100 years and
topography flat. Use IS 875 (Part 3) and IS 11504.
68.50m Axis of rotation

Throat 31m
67.10m

160m
129 m

122 m
 7
Design wind pressure coefficient, p' = ∑ Fn cos nθ
n =0

( Appendix A, IS11504 - 1985)

where
p' = design wind pressure coefficient,
Fn = Fourier coefficient of n th term, and
θ = angular position measured from the incident wind direction
in degrees.
Design wind pressure coefficient as per IS 11504-
1985 for the given wind incidence angle are
tabulated below

Angular position n Fn Design wind pressure

measured from the coefficient, p’
incident wind
direction in degrees
0 0 -0—00071 1.40255
15 1 +0—24611 1.139024
30 2 +0.62296 0.525091
45 3 +0.48833 -0.17963
60 4 +0.10756 -0.76781
75 5 -0—09579 -0.90452
 Angular position n Fn Design wind
measured from the pressure
incident wind coefficient, p’
direction in degrees
90 6 -0—01142 -0.50469
105 7 +0.04551 -0.06834
120 0.013025
135 -0.03691
150 0.011729
165 0.046115
180 0.03423

Pressure coefficient, p’ = 1.403

Pressure coefficient, p’ (including 10% for shell
imperfections) = 1.1×1.403 = 1.543
(a)Peak wind method
Design wind speed, Vz = Vb k1k2k3

The design wind pressure at any height above mean

ground level, pz = 0.6 Vz2

Basic wind speed, Vb = 39 m/s (Figure 1, IS 875 (Part

3))

Probability factor (risk coefficient), k1 = 1.06 (Table 1,

IS 875 (Part 3))
Terrain, height and structure size factor, k2 varies with
height and is given in Table (Clause 5.3.2.2, Table 2,
IS 875 (Part 3))

Terrain Category: 2 (Since terrain assumed around

TPS is open terrain with well scattered obstructions
having heights generally between 1.5 to 10 m.)

Class B (Since NDCT height is greater than 50m)

Since the terrain assumed is plain, Topography

factor, k3 = 1 (Clause 5.3.3.1, IS 875 (Part 3))
Design wind pressure at various levels of cooling tower

Height k2 Vz Design wind Actual design

from (m/s) pressure, Pz wind pressure,
ground, m (kN/m2) Pd = Pz × p’
(kN/m2)
Up to 10m 0.93 38.45 0.887 1.3686

20m 1.00 41.34 1.025 1.5816

30m 1.04 43.00 1.109 1.7112

50m 1.10 45.47 1.240 1.9133

100m 1.17 48.37 1.403 2.1648

150m 1.21 50.02 1.501 2.3160

160m 1.216 50.27 1.516 2.3392

 Wind pressure diagram (Peak Wind Method)

Wind Pressure
68.50m Axis of rotation
(kN/m2)
160
2.3392
150
Throat 31m
2.3160 67.10m

100
160m
2.1648
129 m
50
1.9133
30
1.7112 20
1.5816
1.3686 10
0

122 m
(b) Gust factor method (Clause 8, IS 875 (part 3))
Computation of Gust factor

 SE 
G = 1 + g f .r  B(1 + φ ) +
2

β 

gf.r = 0.8, L(h) = 2000 (Figure 8, IS 875 (part 3))
Cy =10, Cz = 12 (page 52, IS 875 (part 3))
Hence λ = Cyb/Czh = (10 × 122)/(12 × 160) = 0.635
Also, Czh/ L(h) = (12 ×160)/2000 = 0.96
Background turbulence factor, B = 0.55(Figure 9, IS
875 (part 3))
T = 0.09H/√d = 0.09 ×160/√122 = 1.304 sec
f = 1/T = 0.767
C z f 0 h 12 × 0.767 ×160
F0 = = = 36.8
Vh 40.02
Size reduction factor, S = 0.0045 (Figure 10, IS 875
(part 3))
f 0 L(h ) 0.767 × 2000
The parameter = = 38.33
Vh 40.02
The gust energy factor E = 0.045 (Figure 11, IS 875
(part 3))
Φ=0
β = 0.016 (Table 34, IS 875 (part 3))

 0.0045 × 0.045 
G = 1 + 0.8 0.55(1 + 0 ) + = 1.6
2

 0.016 
Hourly mean wind speed, Vz = Vb k1k2k3

Design pressure at height z due to hourly mean wind,

pz = 0.6 Vz2

Basic wind speed, Vb = 39 m/s (Figure 1, IS 875 (Part

3))

Probability factor (risk coefficient), k1 = 1.06 (Table 1,

IS 875 (Part 3))

Terrain, height and structure size factor, k2 varies with

height and is given in Table (Clause 5.3.2.2, Table
33, IS 875 (Part 3))
Terrain Category: 2 (Since terrain assumed around
TPS is open terrain with well scattered obstructions
having heights generally between 1.5 to 10 m.)

Class B (Since NDCT height is greater than 50m)

Since the terrain assumed is plain, Topography

factor, k3 = 1 (Clause 5.3.3.1, IS 875 (Part 3))
Design wind pressure at various levels of cooling tower

Height k2 Vz Design wind Actual design

from (m/s) pressure, Pz wind pressure,
ground, m (kN/m2) Pd = Pz × p’× G
(kN/m2)
Up to 10m 0.67 27.68 0.459 1.133

20m 0.75 31.00 0.576 1.422

30m 0.79 32.66 0.640 1.58

50m 0.85 35.14 0.740 1.827

100m 0.92 38.03 0.867 2.140

150m 0.96 39.69 0.945 2.333

160m 0.968 40.02 0.960 2.37

 Wind pressure diagram (Gust Factor Method)

Wind Pressure
68.50m Axis of rotation
(kN/m2)
160
2.37
150
Throat 31m
2.333 67.10m

100
160m
2.140
129 m
50
1.827
30
1.58 20
1.422
1.133 10
0

122 m
 Wind
1.403
Circumferential
0° 345° net wind
15°
30°
330°
pressure
45° 315° diagram
0.927
300°
60°
70° 285°
75°

90° 270°

105° 255°

240°
120°

135° 225°

150° 210°
165° 195°
180°
In earlier problem, if cooling tower is situated
on a hill (Refer Figure) having a slope of
9.5°on one side and 19° on the other side.
Find Topography factor (k3) factor.
Upwind
Downwind
Wind
X = -360
Crest
Tower

Z =100
H =40 Hill
θ = 9.5°
θ = 19°
EL. 200
L = 600 m 290 m
EL. 200

Wind direction from left to right

 Downwind Upwind
Wind
X = +360
Crest
Tower

Z =100
H =40 Hill
θ = 9.5°
θ = 19°
EL. 200
600 m L = 290 m
EL. 200

Wind direction from right to left

When Wind Blows Left to Right
Upwind slope = 9.5°

Downwind slope θ = 19.0°

L = 100/tan9.5°= 597.6 m ≈ 600m

Effective horizontal length, Le = L = 600 m

Distance of cooling tower (X) from crest = – (L – Hcotθ)

= -(600 - 40 cot 9.5°) = -360 m

H/Le = 0.067 and X/Le = –0.60

(Since the Cooling tower is situated on upwind
slope, negative sign is used)

K3 = 1 + Cs,

For θ = 9.5° (3° < θ ≤ 17°), C = 1.2 (100/600) = 0.2

s = 0.20 [Fig. 15]

Hence k3 = 1 + 0.2 x 0.20= 1.04

When Wind Blows from Right to Left
Upwind slope θ = 19°

Downwind slope θ = 9.5°

L= 100/tan19°= 290.4 m ≈ 290 m

Effective horizontal length Le = z/0.3 = 100/0.3 =

333.33 m

Distance of building (X) from crest= +360 m

H/L, = 0.12 and X/Le = +1.08

k3 =1 + Cs,
For θ = 19° > 17°,

C = 0.36,

s = 0.35 [Fig. 15]

Hence k3 = 1 + 0.36 x 0.35= 1.126

NOTE: For design, greater of the two values of k3 is

considered.

Hence, k3 = 1.126
If the tower of height 25 m has to be constructed on a
hillock where the height of the hill is 150m having a
slope of 1:3 and the tower is proposed at a height of
100m from the base on the windward side, find the
Topography factor.

150m
wind
Tower

150m
100m
1
3

26
Z = height of the hill = 150m

θ = tan-1 (1 / 3) = 18.43°

L = Actual length of upwind slope in the wind

direction = 150 × 3 = 450m

Le = Effective horizontal length of the hill for θ > 17°

Le = Z / 0.3 = 150 / 0.3 = 500m

Values of C for θ = 18.43° > 17°

C = 0.36
27
k3 = 1 + Cs

X = -150m

X / Le = -150 / 500 = -0.3

H / Le = 100 / 500 = 0.2

Referring to Figure 15 hill and ridge for X / Le = -0.3

and H / Le = 0.2 on the upwind direction

s = 0.58
k3 = 1 + 0.36 ×0.58 = 1.21
28
A tower is proposed at Sriperumbudur - Madras on a
hill top. The height of the tower is 10m. The hill is
300m high with a gradient of 1 in 5. The tower is
proposed at a distance of 100m from the crest on the
downwind slope. Calculate the Topography factor.
100m
Crest
wind
Tower

300m

280m
1
5
Downwind slope
29
Z = effective height of the hill = 300m
θ = tan-1 (1/5) = 11.31°

L = Actual length of upward slope in the wind direction

= 1500m

Le = effective horizontal length of the hill

For θ = 11.31° Le = L = 1500m

Topography factor k3 = 1 + Cs

where C = 1.2 (Z/L) since 3° < θ < 17°

C = 1.2 (300/1500) = 0.24
30
X = +100m

The non dimensional factors are

X / Le = 100 / 1500 = 0.067

H / Le = 280 / 1500 = 0.1867

s = 1 from Figure 15 on Page 57

k3 = 1 + 0.24 ×1

k3 = 1.24
31
A tower of 50m height is proposed over a hill top. The
height of the hill is 50m with a gradient of 1 in 4. The
terrain category is 3. The tower is proposed at
Coimbatore. Compute the Topography factor.

wind
Tower
50m

50m
1
4 32
Z = effective height of the hill = 50m

θ = tan-1 (1/4) = 14.04°

L = Actual length of the upwind slope = 200m

Le = Effective horizontal length of the hill

Le = L = 200m (since θ = 14.04° < 17°)

k3 = 1 +Cs

θ < 17°, C = 1.2 (Z/L) = 1.2 (50/200) = 0.3

33
X / Le = 0/200 = 0

H / Le = 50/200 = 0.25

Refer Fig.15, s = 0.6

k3 = 1 + 0.3 ×0.6

k3 = 1.18

34
If the height of the tower is 10 m, compute the
topography factor for the Figure shown below.

Tower

wind
1°
10 m
15°

35
Le = L (since θ = 15° < 17°)

C = 1.2 (Z/L) = 1.2 (10/37.32) = 0.321 (since θ < 17°)

X / Le = 0/37.32 = 0

H / Le = 10/37.32 = 0.268

If the zone downwind from the crest of the feature is

relatively flat (θ = 1° < 3°) for a distance
exceeding Le, then the feature should be treated as
an escarpment.

36
Refer Fig.14, s = 0.6

k3 = 1 + 0.321 ×0.6

k3 = 1.193
A Hyperbolic Cooling tower of overall height
100m has a throat radius of 23 m. The throat
section is located 25 m from the top of the shell.
The diameter of the top section is 50m. Analyze
for membrane forces at the base section of the
tower and design suitable concrete section and
reinforcement. Adopt M-20 grade concrete and
Fe415 grade HYSD bars.

38
The geometry of the shell surface is defined by

2 2
r Z
0
− 2 =1
2
a b

In which r0 = horizontal radius at any vertical

coordinate, Z = the vertical coordinate, a = radius of
the throat and b = some characteristic dimension of
the hyperboloid.
Principle radii of curvature r1 and r2 are given
by the equations:

− a 2b 2 a2
r1 = r2 =
(a 2
sin φ − b cos φ
2 2 2
)
3/ 2
(a 2
sin 2 φ − b 2 cos 2 φ )
1/ 2

− a sin φ
2 b 2 cos 2 φ
r0 = Z=
(a 2
sin φ − b cos φ
2 2 2
) 1/ 2
(a 2
sin 2 φ − b 2 cos 2 φ ) 1/ 2

40
 Axis of rotation

Throat T
a Φ0
r0
O Φ
b Z
H
r1
r0 S
Φ
r2

s = 38 m
z
  aT   23 × 25 
b=  =  = 58.69m ≈ 59m
 t − a   25 − 23 
2 2 2 2

In which t = the top radius, T = the vertical distance

from the throat to the top of shell

S2 752
s = a 1 + 2 = 23 1 + 2 = 37.2m ≈ 38m
b 59
In which s = radius of base section and S = the vertical
distance from throat to the base of the shell

Therefore, diameter at base = 38 × 2 = 76m

For base section, we have:

b r02 59 382
tan φ = = = 3.22
a r0 − a
2 2
23 38 − 23
2 2

 1   1 
cos φ =  =  = 0.297
 1 + tan 2 φ   1 + 3.22 2 

 

a
cos φ = ξ
a 2 + b2
  cos φ a 2 + b 2   0.297 232 + 59 2 
ξ = =  = 0.82
 a   23 

 2ξ  1 + ξ 
f (ξ ) =  + ln 
1 − ξ  1 − ξ 
2

 2 × 0.82  1 + 0.82 
= + ln  = 7.32
1 − 0.82  1 − 0.82 
2
For Top section, we have:
2 2
b r 59 25
tan φ0 = 0
= = 6.55
a r0 − a
2 2
23 25 − 23
2 2

 1   1 
cos φ0 =  =  = 0.151
 1 + tan 2 φ   1 + 6.552 

 0 

 cos φ a 2 + b 2   0.151 232 + 59 2 

ξ0 =  0
=  = 0.416
 a   23 
  2ξ 0  1 + ξ 0 
f (ξ 0 ) =  + ln 
1 − ξ 0  1 − ξ 0 
2

 2 × 0.416  1 + 0.416 
= + ln  = 1.892
1 − 0.416  1 − 0.416 
2

Membrane forces:
NΦ = Meridional thrust at level Φ
Nθ = Circumferential thrust

1− ξ 2
g 2
Nφ = − b
4
(a 2
+b 2
)(
a +b −a ξ
2 2 2 2
[ f (ξ ) − f (ξ 0 )]
)
At top section, NΦ = 0 because of f(ξ0)-f(ξ0) =0

ξ
( )
2 2
ga a
Nθ = − + Nφ 2 1 − ξ 2

(a 2
+b 2
) (1 − ξ )
2 b

24 × 23 2
0.416
Nθ = − = −91.72kN / m
(23 2
+ 59 2
) (1 − 0.416 )
2

The negative value indicates compression

At base section,

−
( )(
2
24 2 1 0.82
Nφ = − 59 232 + 59 2 [7.32 − 1.892]
4 23 + 59 − 23 × 0.82
2 2 2 2
)
= −1124.44kN / m

24 × 232
Nθ = −
0.82 232
(
+ (− 1124.44) 2 1 − 0.82 2 )
(23 2
+ 59 2 ) (1 − 0.82 )
2 59
= −343.21kN / m
Design of shell section reinforcement
At base section, NΦ = 1124.44kN/m
Using M-20 grade concrete and Fe415 grade tor
steel,
permissible stresses, σcc = 0.5 × 5 = 2.5 MPa

 Nφ   1124.44 ×103 
  = σ cc t =   = 450mm
 1000t   1000 × 2.5 

Adopt a shell thickness of 450 mm at base gradually

reducing to 150 mm at the top
Minimum reinforcement = 1% of cross sectional area
= 1/100 × 1000 ×450 = 4500 mm2

Provide 20 mm Φ bars at 130 mm centres on both

faces in meridional direction (Ast = 4831 mm2)

Minimum reinforcement in the circumferential direction

= 0.25 % of cross sectional area

= 0.25/100 × 1000 ×450 = 1125 mm2

Provide 10 mm Φ bars at 130 mm centres on both

faces in the circumferential direction as hoops
(Ast = 1208 mm2).
The reinforcement can be decreased towards the
top of the tower.

The circumferential reinforcements will be provided

outside the meridional reinforcements in order to
hold meridional reinforcements and prevent from
displacements.
A Hyperbolic Cooling tower of overall height
100m has a throat radius of 23 m. The throat
section is located 25 m from the top of the shell.
The diameter of the top section is 50m.

Wind intensity, P = 1 kN/m2

Compute the maximum design membrane forces
at the base section due to the action of wind and
self weight of shell.

52
Z
Axis of rotation
tt
Φt
Top

a
T
Throat

O
r1
H
Φ S
r2
1
a / b = k 2 −1

Base

Φs

53
s
The salient design parameters are:
a = 23 m, b = 59 m, s = 38 m, a/s = 23/38 = 0.61
a/t = 23/25 = 0.92

 a 2
  23 
2
k = 1 + 2  = 1 + 2  = 1.152
2

 b   59 

φt − φ
Φ=
φt − φs
For top section, Ф = 0 and for base section, Ф = 1
54
Referring to design tables for maximum values of
NΦ, Nθ, We have θ = 0 and Φ = 1.0 (base section)

 Nφ 
  = 12.326
 P.a 
Nφ = (12.326 × 1 × 23) = 283.498kN / m

 Nθ 
  = −2.199
 P.a 

Nθ = (− 2.199 × 1 × 23) = −50.577kN / m

55
Maximum negative value of NΦ occurs at θ = 70°
and Φ = 1 (base section)

 Nφ 
  = −11.654
 P.a 
Nφ = (− 11.654 × 1 × 23) = −268.042kN / m

Maximum positive value of Nθ occurs at θ = 70° and

Φ = 1 (base section)

 Nθ 
  = 0.3809
 P.a  56
 Nθ = (0.3809 × 1 × 23) = 8.7607kN / m

Design forces are shown in table given below;

Force Due to D.L. (kN/m) Due to W.L. (kN/m) Maximum Design

force (kN/m)
NΦ -1124.44 -268.042 -1392.482

Nθ -343.21 -50.577 -393.787

The base section is designed for the maximum

meridional and circumferential forces.
57