Parametric Design and Structural Analysis of RCC Industrial Chimneys under Wind and Thermal Loads using STAAD.Pro

Mohammed Zameer Ahamed J.*, Syeda Nikhat Fathima**
* Department of Civil Engineering, Dr.Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Mahaswamy College of Engineering, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
** Department of Civil Engineering, Sri Siddhartha School of Engineering, Tumkur, Karnataka, India.
Periodicity:October - December'2025

Abstract

Reinforced concrete (RCC) industrial chimneys are slender structures primarily governed by wind-induced lateral forces and temperature-induced stresses. With increasing chimney heights to meet environmental regulations, combined wind–thermal effects demand detailed structural evaluation. This study presents a parametric design and structural analysis of a 107 m high self-supporting RCC chimney in accordance with IS 4998 (Part 1):1992 and IS 6533 (Part 1):1989. Manual calculations and STAAD.Pro-based numerical analysis were performed considering dead load, wind load, and thermal gradient effects. Stress evaluation was carried out at critical sections along the height. Results indicate that the maximum compressive stress at the base reached 12.42 N/mm², exceeding the permissible limit by approximately 9.6%, while tensile stresses developed at upper sections due to wind-induced bending. Thermal stresses further amplified base stress levels, highlighting their significant contribution to overall structural demand. The study concludes that conventional design using M25 concrete is inadequate for the adopted geometry, and recommends higher concrete grades, optimized reinforcement ratios, or prestressed solutions. The findings emphasize the necessity of combined wind–thermal analysis for slender RCC chimneys to ensure codal compliance and structural safety.

Keywords

RCC Chimney, Wind Load, STAAD.Pro, Thermal Stress, Soil-Structure Interaction, IS 4998, IS 6533.

How to Cite this Article?

Ahamed, J. M. Z., and Fathima, S. N. (2025). Parametric Design and Structural Analysis of RCC Industrial Chimneys under Wind and Thermal Loads using STAAD.Pro. i-manager’s Journal on Structural Engineering, 14(3), 40-53.

References

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