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RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS

Analysis of Cantilever Steel Chimney As Per Indian Standards

Rakshith B D1, Ranjith A2, Sanjith J3, Chethan G 4
1
(Post Graduate Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Technology,
Chikmagalur, Karnataka, INDIA)
2,3,4
(Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Technology,
Chikmagalur, Karnataka, INDIA)

ABSTRACT
Chimneys are tall and slender structures which are used to discharge waste/flue gases at higher elevation with
sufficient exit velocity such that the gases and suspended solids(ash) are dispersed in to the atmosphere over a
defined spread such that their concentration , on reaching the ground is within acceptable limits specified by
pollution control regulatory authorities. This paper summarizes the analysis and design concepts of chimneys as
per Indian codal provisions incorporation was also made through finite element analysis. Effect of inspection
manhole on the behavior of Cantilever steel chimney, two chimney models one with the manhole and other
without manhole were taken into consideration. These models are analyzed by finite element software STAAD
Pro, emphasis also placed on effect of geometric limitations on the design aspects in designing chimney.

I. INTRODUCTION the cylindrical portion of the chimney.

Chimneys or stacks are very important ii. Minimum outside diameter of the unlined flared
industrial structures for emission of poisonous gases chimney at the base should be 1.6 times the outside
to a higher elevation such that the gases do not diameter of the chimney at top.
contaminate surrounding atmosphere. These Present study attempts to justify these limitations
structures are tall, slender and generally with circular imposed by the deign codes through finite element
cross-sections. Different construction materials, such analyses of steel chimneys with various geometrical
as concrete, steel or masonry, are used to build configurations.
chimneys. Steel chimneys are ideally suited for
process work where a short heat-up period and low 1.1. Objectives
thermal capacity are required. Also, steel chimneys Based on the literature review presented in the
are economical for height up to 45m. Fig. 1.1 shows previous section the objective of the present
a cantilever steel chimneys located in an industrial study is defined as follows:
plant. To formulate the base moment of the steel
chimney as a function of top-to-base
diameter ratio.
To predict the variation of bending stress as
a function of geometry of steel chimney.
To assess the geometry limitations imposed
by IS 6533:1989 in the design of Cantilever
steel chimney.

II. LOAD EFFECTS OF STEEL CHIMNEY

2.1 Overview
Cantilever steel chimneys experience various
loads in vertical and lateral directions. Important
loads that a steel chimney often experiences are
Fig. 1.1: Cantilever Steel Chimney wind loads, earthquake loads, and temperature loads
apart from self weight, loads from the attachments,
Two important IS-6533: 1989 recommended imposed loads on the service platforms. Wind effects
geometry limitations for designing Cantilever steel on chimney plays an important role on its safety as
chimneys are as follows: steel chimneys are generally very tall structures. The
i. Minimum outside diameter of the unlined chimney circular cross section of the chimney subjects to
at the top should be one twentieth of the height of aerodynamic lift under wind load.
Again seismic load is a major consideration for
chimney as it is considered as natural load. This load
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is normally dynamic in nature. According to code remain silent about it. But it is mentioned in IS 4998
provision quasi-static methods are used for (part 1): 1992 and ACI 307-95 which is applicable
evaluation of this load and recommend amplification for concrete chimney only. Also CICIND code does
of the normalized response of the chimney with a not mention this effects and depends on IS 4998
factor that depending on the soil and intensity of (part 1): 1992 and ACI 307-95.
earthquake. In majority of the cases flue gases with Generally chimney-like tall structures are considered
very high temperature released inside a chimney. as bluff body and oppose to a streamlines one. When
Due to this a temperature gradient with respect to the streamlined body causes the oncoming wind
ambient temperature outside is developed and hence flow, the bluff body causes the wind to separate
caused for stresses in the cell. Therefore, from the body. Due to this a negative regions are
temperature effects are also important factor to be formed in the wake region behind the chimney. This
considered in the steel design of chimney. wake region produces highly turbulent region and
This section describes the wind load and seismic forms high speed eddies called vortices. These
load effects on cantilever steel chimney. vortices alternatively forms lift forces and it acts in a
direction perpendicular to the incident wind
2.2 Wind engineering direction. Chimney oscillates in a direct ion
For self-supporting steel chimney, wind is perpendicular to the wind flow due to this lift forces.
considered as major source of loads. This load can
be divided into two components respectively such 2.5 Wind Load Calculation
as, According to IS 875 (part 3):1987 basic wind
Along - wind effect. speed can be calculated,
Across - wind effect. Vz =Vb K1 K 2 K3
The wind load exerted at any point on a chimney can Where , Vz= design wind speed at any height z m/s
be considered as the sum of quasi-static and a K1= probability factor (risk coefficient)
dynamic-load component. The static-load K2= terrain, height and structure size factor
component is that force which wind will exert if it K3= topography factor
blows at a mean (time-average) steady speed and
which will tend to produce a steady displacement in 2.6 Static Wind Effects
a structure. The dynamic component, which can A static force called as drag force, obstructs an
cause oscillations of a structure, is generated due to air stream on a bluff body like chimney. The
the following reasons: distribution of wind pressure depends upon the
Gust shape and direction of wind incidence. Due to this a
Vortex shedding circumferential bending occurs and it is more
Buffeting significant for larger diameter chimney. Also drag
force creates along-wind shear forces and bending
2.3 Along Wind Effects moments.
Along wind effects are happened by the drag
component of the wind force on the chimney. When 2.6.1 Drag
wind flows on the face of the structure, a direct The drag force on a single stationary bluff body is,
buffeting action is produced. To estimate such type Fd=0.5 Cd A a 2
of loads it is required to model the chimney as a Where Fd = drag force, N
cantilever, fixed to the ground. In this model the Cd = Drag coefficient
wind load is acting on the exposed face of the A = area of section normal to wind direction,
chimney to create predominant moments. But there m2
is a problem that wind does not blow at a fixed rate The value of drag coefficient depends on Reynolds
always. So the corresponding loads should be number, shape and aspect ratio of a structure.
dynamic in nature. For evaluation of along wind
loads the chimney is modeled as bluff body with 2.6.2 Circumferential bending
turbulent wind flow. In many codes including IS: The radial distribution of wind pressure on
6533: 1989, equivalent static method is used for horizontal section depends on Re. normally the
estimating these loads. In this procedure the wind resultant force of along wind is counteracted by
pressure is determined which acts on the face of the shear force s which is induced in the structure. These
chimney as a static wind load. Then it is amplified shear forces are assumed to vary sinusoidal along the
using gust factor to calculate the dynamic effects. circumference of the chimney cell.
2.4 Across wind effects 2.6.3 Wind load on liners
Across wind effect is not fully solved and it is In both single-flue and multi-flue chimneys
required a considerable research work on it. For metal liners are being used but these are not directly
design of Cantilever steel chimney, Indian standard contact or exposed to wind. But they are designed

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for wind loads which are transmitted through the The frequency of lift force is regular, but magnitude
chimney cell. The magnitude of the force can be is random. When frequency of vortex shedding is
estimated by considering the liner as a beam of close to natural frequency of a chimney (when its
varying moment of inertia, acted upon by a motion is near sinusoidal), maximum response is
transverse load at the top and deflection is calculated obtained. The exciting force should be taken as,
at the top of the cell. FL = 0.5 a A 2 sin t CL
The response of the structure depends on the time-
2.7 Dynamic-wind effects average energy input from the vortex shedding
Wind load is a combination of steady and a forces. In the expression Cl has the time-average
fluctuating component. Due to turbulence effect the value rms value of the lifting force coefficient with a
wind load varies in its magnitude. range of frequencies close to the natural frequency
o of the structure.
2.7.1 Gust loading (ii) In super-critical Re range
Due to fluctuations wind load is random in nature. In this range both frequency and magnitude are
This load can be expressed as random in nature. Here structures response depends
F(t) = K ( + u )2 = K ( 2 + 2 u ), for on the power input. If we plot power input density
small values of u function Sl (St) against non-dimensional frequency
Where K=0.5 Cd A a St, then the power spectrum of the lift-force should
In the above expression (K 2) is quassi-static be expressed as,
and is the mean velocity.
Sl = { 0.5 a A 2 CL2 } Sl' (St)
2.7.2 Aerodynamic Effects According to the (IS-6533 part-2:1989), if period of
In wind engineering there is a term called natural oscillation for the cantilever steel chimney
aerodynamic admittance coefficient which exceeds 0.25 seconds, the design wind load take into
depends on spatial characteristics of wind consideration the dynamic effect due to pulsation of
turbulence. Spatial characteristics relates to thrust caused by the wind velocity in addition to the
structures response to wind load, at any frequency. static wind load. It depends on the fundamental
This coefficient is expressed as; period of vibration of the chimney.
This method has various advantages following are.
1
An =
BHn 10nDco
( 1+ ) ( 1+ )
3t t
Where
An = aerodynamic admittance at the structures
natural frequency n, Hz
t = mean wind speed at top of a chimney, m/s
Always this coefficient has to be multiplied with
response of a structure due to wind loads because
it allows response modification due to spatial wind-
turbulence characteristics.

2.7.3 Vortex formation

When wind flows through a circular cross
section like chimney vortices are formed. These
vortices cause a pressure drop across the chimney at
regular pressure intervals. Due to this change in
pressure, a lateral force perpendicular to wind Fig. 3.1 Regimes of fluid flow across circular
direction is created. It depends on Reynolds's cylinders
number which has a range such as sub-critical (Re < 2.8 Seismic Effects
3105), ultra-critical (Re > 3105) and super-critical Due to seismic action, an additional load is
(3105 to 3106). acted on the chimney. It is considered as vulnerable
because chimney is tall and slender structure.
2.7.4. Vortex excitation Seismic force is estimated as cyclic in nature for a
The alternate shedding of vertices creates a short period of time. When chimney subjected to
transverse forces called as lift. According to cyclic loading, the friction with air, friction between
practical design purpose it is divided into two forms, the particles which construct the structure, friction at
such as the junctions of structural elements, yielding of the
(i) In sub-critical and ultra-critical Re range structural elements decrease the amplitude of motion
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of a vibrating structure and reduce to normal with

corresponding to time. When this friction fully There are also several types of Cantilever chimney
dissipates the structural energy during its motion, the bare steel shell
structure is called critically damped. double-skin chimneys in which the
steel is internally covered with a liner
2.8.1. Response-spectrum method Multi-flue chimneys in which the steel
Wth shell contains several liners.
T= Ct SQRT
ES A g
Where 3.2 Design Aspects of Steel Chimney
Ct = coefficient depending on slenderness ratio of The design aspects of steel chimney consists of two
the structure aspects, they are;
W t= total weight of the structure including weight 3.2.1. Mechanical aspects
of lining and contents above the base, This part covers design, construction maintenance
A = area of cross-section at the base of the structural and inspection of steel stacks. This also includes
shell lining materials, draft calculations, consideration for
h = height of the structure above the base dispersion of pollutants into atmosphere and ash
Es= modulus of elasticity of material of the structural disposal.
shell 3.2.2 Structural aspects
g = acceleration due to gravity It covers loadings, load combinations, materials of
construction, inspection, maintenance and painting
2.8.2. Horizontal seismic force of both Cantilever and guyed steel stacks (with or
Z I Sa without lining) and their supporting structures.
Ah= 3.3 Applicable Codes for Design
2Rg Various national and international codes and
Where guidelines are available for designing the chimneys,
Z= zone factor they are.
I= importance factor 3.3.1. IS 875 (Part-3):1987
R= response reduction factor. The ratio Code of practice for design loads other than
shall not be less than 1.0 earthquake for buildings and structures (wind loads).
Sa/g= spectral acceleration coefficient for This Indian standard IS: 875 (Part-3) was adopted by
rock and soil sites bureau of Indian Standards after the draft finalized
by the structural safety sectional committee had been
2.9 Temperature Effects approved by the civil engineering division council.
The shell of the chimney should withstand the This part covers
effects of thermal gradient. Due to thermal gradient a. Wind loads to be considered when
vertical and circumferential stress are developed and designing buildings, structures and
this values estimated by the magnitude of the components.
thermal gradient under steady state condition. b. It gives the basic wind speeds for various
locations in India.
III. DESIGN OF STEEL CHIMNEY c. Factors to be considered while estimating
This section presents procedures to design self- the design wind speed/pressure.
supported steel chimney as per Indian Standard IS
6533 (Part 1 & 2):1989 through an example 3.3.2 IS 6533 (Part-1): 1989
calculation. A typical chimney to be located at Indian standard design and construction of steel
coastal Odisha for an exit flue discharge of 100000 stacks-code of practice (Mechanical aspects).
m3/s is taken for the example. The chimney is first This includes
designed for static wind load and then the design is a. Determination of inside diameter.
checked against dynamic wind load, possible b. Determination of stack height based on
resonance and seismic load. pollution norms and dispersion of gases
3.1 Introduction into the atmosphere.
The design of steel chimney can be done as two c. Estimation of draft losses.
types: d. General requirements for materials of
Cantilever steel chimneys construction, insulation, lining and
Guyed steel chimneys cladding.
stayed chimney (on a supporting 3.3.3 IS 6533 (Part-2): 1989
column) This is Indian Standard Code of practice for design
Bracketed chimney (on a nearby and construction of steel chimneys (structural
building). aspect). This includes

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a. Material of construction for bolts, plates, As per IS: 6533 (Part 2), the following load causes
rivets and welding are to be considered while designing the stack
b. Loadings and load combinations 1. Load case 1 = Dead load + wind load
c. General design aspects covering minimum (along X direction) +
thickness of shell. Allowable stresses, Imposed load
allowable deflection, determination of 2. Load case 2 = Dead load + wind load
dynamic force and checking for resonance. (along Y direction) +
Typical ladder details, painters trolley, location of Imposed load
warning lamps and the flue opening details, 3. Load case 3 = Dead load + Imposed load +
inspection, maintenance and protective coatings. earthquake load
3.4 Design Methodology 3.4.4 Design inputs of chimney
IS:6533 (Part-1 & 2): 1989, IS 875 (Part-3 & 4): Burner capacity of the each dryer: Q=600 sq.
1987, and IS 1893 (Part-4):2005 will be used as the /hr.
basis for design, which gives detailed procedure to Total no of dryer: n= 2
determine static, dynamic and seismic loads coming Density of flue: df = 0.9kg/l
on the structure. Rates of emission Ve = 27.78
3.4.1 Assumptions cum/s
Following assumptions are made Basic wind speed v b =58.33m/s
1. The wind pressure varies with the height. It Temperature t=2000 c
is zero at the ground and increase as the Min. height of chimney h = 45m
height increases. For the purpose of design Height of flare h flare: =15m
it is assumed the wind pressure is uniform Height of cylindrical portion Ht h flare =30m
throughout the height of the structure. Outside diameter on top d top.min =2m
2. For the purpose of calculations, it is Outside diameter at base d top.min =3.2m
assumed that the static wind load (projected Thickness of the shell T= 14mm
area multiplied by the wind pressure) is Quantity of the gas Q := n.capa = 55.556
acting at the centre of pressure. cum/s
3. In calculating the allowable stresses both 3.4.5 FEM Modeling
tensile and bending, the joint efficiency for By the synthesis of 3D model of all structural parts,
butt welds is assumed to be 0.85. the 3D model of the chimney is set up and presented
4. The base of the stack is perfectly rigid and in Figure 4.1. The structure thickness is varying
the effect of the gussets and stool plate on along the structure height. Thickness is modeled in
the deflection and the stresses in the stack is accordance with the ultrasonic measurement of sheet
not considered. This is applicable only for metal thickness.
manual calculations.
5. There are no additional lateral movements
from the duct transferred to the stack;
suitable arrangement has to be provided to
absorb this movement from the duct.
6. Earthquake causes impulsive ground
motions, which are complex and irregular
in character, changing in period and
amplitude each lasting for a small duration.
Therefore resonance of the type as
visualized under steady-state sinusoidal
excitations will not occur, as it would need
time to build up such amplitudes.
7. Earthquake is not likely to occur
simultaneously with maximum wind or
maximum flood or maximum sea waves..
3.4.2 Loadings
The followings loads are to be estimated while
designing the steel chimney
1. Wind load Fig. 4.1 3D Model of Steel Chimney of Rendered
2. Earthquake load view
3. Imposed load 3D STAAD model of the structure was a starting
3.4.3 Load combinations point in creating finite element model. The model
presents the continuum discretized by the 10-node

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parabolic tetrahedron elements in order to create

FEM model. FEM model of the chimney structure
consists of 14432 nodes. Figures 4.2 and 4.3 show
details of the root section finite element model. The
size of the elements varies depending on the local
geometry of the structure

Fig. 4.5 Displacement of Chimney structure due to

wind/seismic

Stress state of the structure: The uni-axial stress

field obtained according to the Huber-Hencky-Von
Mises hypothesis for the root section of the chimney
Fig. 4.2 FEM Model of Chimney is shown in Figure 4.6 and for the rest of the
chimney structure. Maximum values of uni-axial
stress are obtained at the chimneys root section in
the zones next to the upper corners of the flue duct
entries, Fig. 4.7. Chimney sections above the root
section have evenly distributed uni-axial stress field
without stress concentration locations.

Fig. 4.3 FEM Model of Chimney's root section

External load:
The load analysis of the chimney is carried out
according to the rules given in the international Fig. 4.6 Uni-axial stress field on the chimneys root
codes. Modeling of external loads and anchor segment
connection between steel structure and concrete
foundation simulated realistic boundary conditions
of the structure of the chimney.

Fig. 4.7 Distribution of the uni-axial stress at the zone

Fig. 4.4 Structure with a wind load [wall pressure] of flue duct upper corners

IV. Effect of Geometry on the Design of

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Cantilever Steel Chimney 2. Minimum outside diameter of the unlined

Geometric design of a chimney plays a major role in flared chimney at the base should be 1.6
its performance. times the outside diameter of the chimney
at top.
4.1 Overview With this background this paper attempts to check
This Section deals with the analysis of steel the basis of design code limitations with regard to
chimneys. The chimney is idealized as cantilever the basic dimensions of a Cantilever unlined flared
column with tubular cross section for analysis. As steel chimney. Two parameters: (i) top-to-base
explained in the previous section the main loads to diameter ratio and (ii) height-to-base diameter ratio
be considered during the analysis of chimneys are were considered for this study. A numbers chimney
wind loads and seismic loads in addition to the dead with different dimensions analyzed for dynamic
loads. Basic dimensions of a Cantilever steel wind load.
chimney is generally obtained from the
environmental consideration. Other important 4.3 Description of the Selected Chimneys
geometrical considerations are limited by design From the discussions in the previous section it is
code IS 6533 (Part 1 & 2): 1989 to obtained clear that top-to-base diameter ratio and height-to-
preferred mode of failure. Section 5.2 discusses the base diameter ratio are the two important parameters
geometry limitations recommended by IS 6533 (Part that define the geometry of a Cantilever chimney. In
1 & 2): 1989. This section attempts to assess these the present study a total of 66 numbers of Chimney
limitations through analysis of different chimney were selected with varying top-to-base diameter
geometries. Section 5.3 presents the different ratio and height-to-base diameter ratio. The
chimney geometry considered for this study. Also, a thickness and the diameter of flared base of the
study is carried out to understand the chimney chimney were kept constant for all the cases. Fig.5.1
behavior with inspection manhole at the lower end presents the different parameters of the selected
of the chimney. Last part of this section presents the chimneys. The shaded portion in the figure
difference of chimney behavior with and without the represents the region acceptable by the design code
inspection manhole. Analysis is carried out through IS 6533 (Part 2): 1989. Design code limits minimum
manual calculations as well as finite element base diameter as 1.6 times the top diameter of the
analysis using commercial software STAAD Pro. chimney. This gives maximum limit of top-to-base
diameter ratio as 1 1.6 = 0.625. Also, as per IS 6533
4.2 Limitations on Chimney Geometry (Part 2): 1989, minimum top diameter of the
Steel Chimneys are cylindrical in shape for the chimney should be one twentieth of the height of the
major portion except at the bottom where the cylindrical portion of the chimney, i.e., (2
chimney is given a conical flare for better stability h 3)(1 20)= h 30
and for easy entrance of flue gases. Height of the
flared portion of the chimney generally varies from
one fourth to one third of the total height of the
chimney. Design forces in a chimney are very
sensitive to its geometrical parameters such as base
and top diameter of the chimney, height of the flare,
height of the chimney and thickness of the chimney
shell. Design codes consider two modes of failure to
arrive at the thickness of chimney shell: material
yielding in tension and compression and local
buckling in compression. Height of the chimney
obtained from environmental conditions.
It is clear that the height of the chimney and Fig. 5.1 Geometrical distribution of selected
diameter of the chimney at top is completely chimney models
determined from the dispersion requirement of the
flue gases in to the atmosphere. Because of this IS Therefore the height-to-base diameter ratio as per
6533 (Part 2): 1989 limits the proportions of the the code limits to 30 1.6 =18.75 (for a maximum
basic dimensions from structural engineering top-to-base diameter ratio of 0.625). This figure
considerations as follows: shows that the selected chimneys cover a wide range
1. Minimum outside diameter of the unlined of geometry. Here, top-to-base diameter ratio is one
chimney at the top should be one twentieth means self-supporting chimney without flare. The
of the height of the cylindrical portion of chimney models were considered to be located at
the chimney. costal Orissa area with a basic wind speed of 210
km/h. Safe bearing capacity of the site soil at a depth

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2.5m below the ground level is assumed to be 30

t/m2. Fixity at the base of the chimney is assumed
for the analysis.

4.4 Dynamic Wind Load As Per Is 6533 (Part-2):

1989
IS 6533 (Part-2): 1989 requires design wind load to
consider dynamic effect due to pulsation of thrust
caused by wind velocity in addition to static wind
load when the fundamental period of the chimney is
less than 0.25s. The fundamental period of vibration
for a Cantilever chimney can be calculated as per IS-
1893 Part-4:2005 as follows:
T = CT SQRT ( WTh )
EsAbaseg
Where,
CT = Coefficient depending upon slenderness ratio, Fig. 5.2 Fundamental mode shape of a typical
WT = Total weight of the chimney, chimney as obtained from finite element analysis
h = total height of the chimney. Fig. 5.3 presents the comparison of the fundamental
Es = Modulus of elasticity of the material of mode shapes of a typical chimney obtained from
structural shell and empirical equation and Eigen value analysis. This
Abase = Area of cross section at base of chimney figure shows that the empirical equation for
shell fundamental mode shape is closely matching the
Stiffness of the flared chimney is generally actual mode shape.
approximated as two times the prismatic chimney.
Therefore a conservative estimate of fundamental
period for flared chimney considered to be one half
the period of given in the previous equation.
Fundamental period of the chimney is also
determined from finite element software STAAD-
Pro and compared with that obtained from the
empirical equation. Assuming the fundamental mode
shape of the chimney is represented by second
degree parabola whose ordinate at the top of the
chimney is unity. So, the ordinate, y (in m) of the
mode shape at a height 'x (in m) from the ground is
as follows (where h = total height of the chimney in
m).
y=(x/h)2
This assumption holds good for the type of chimney
considered in the present study. Fig. 5.2 shows the Fig. 5.3: Comparison of fundamental mode shape
fundamental mode shape of a typical chimney as obtained different analysis
obtained Eigen value analysis using STAAD-Pro.
4.5 Results and Discussions
66 selected chimneys with different dimensions as
explained in the previous section were analyzed for
dynamic wind load as per IS 6533 (Part-2): 1989
using Excel Spread sheets to calculate base shear
and base moment for each chimney as follows:

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Fig. 5.7: Variation of bending stress as a function of

Fig. 5.4: Base moment of the chimney as a function geometry
of top-to-base diameter ratio. Fig. 5.5 presents the base moment as a function of
Fig. 5.4 presents the bending moment at the base of height-to-base diameter ratio for different top-to-
the chimney for dynamic wind load as a function of base diameter ratio. This figure also shows similar
top-to-base diameter ratio for different height-to- results, i.e., that base moment increases with the
base diameter ratio. This figure shows that the base increase of height-to-base diameter ratio. However,
moment increases with the increase of top-to-base the rate of increase in base moment is slightly less
diameter ratio almost proportionally. for lower value of height-to-base diameter ratio.
There is a sudden increase of the gradient of the base
moment curve for height-to-base diameter ratio = 14.
Maximum bending stresses in the chimney also
calculated and presented in Fig. 5.6 for different
height-to-base diameter ratio and top-to-base
diameter ratio. a typical chimney model It is clear
from these figures that base moment (maximum
moment) and the maximum bending stress due to
dynamic wind load are continuous function of the
geometry (top-to-base diameter ratio and height-to-
base diameter ratio). Therefore this study does not
support the limitations imposed by IS 6533 (Part-2):
1989 with regard to the selection of basic
Fig. 5.5: Base moment of the chimney as a function dimensions of Cantilever steel chimneys.
of height-to-base diameter ratio
4.6 Effect of Inspection Manhole on the Behavior
of Cantilever steel Chimney
Manholes are generally provided at the bottom of the
chimney for maintenance and inspection purpose.
The standard dimension of the manhole is
500mm800mm according to Indian standard IS
6533 (Part-2):1989. These manholes are at generally
located at minimum suitable distance from the base
of the chimney. Two chimney models, one with the
manhole and other without manhole, are analyzed
using finite element software STAAD Pro for static
wind load. Fig. 5.7 presents the Von-Mises stress for
chimney model without manhole whereas Fig. 5.8
Fig. 5.6: Variation of bending stress as a function of presents the same for chimney with manhole. These
geometry results show that the maximum stress in the chimney
with manhole is increased 55.6% as compared to the
maximum stress in chimney without manhole.

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F Fig.5.10: T op deflection of the chimney with

ig.5.7: Stress for chimney without manhole manhole
Figs. 5.9 and 5.10 present the displacement response
of the two chimneys under static wind force. These
two figures show that higher deflection is occurred
at the top of the chimney with manhole as compared
to chimney without manhole.
Fig. 5.11 and 5.12 presents the fundamental mode
shape of the two chimney models. Chimney without
manhole is found to have higher fundamental
frequency compared to the chimney with manhole.
This is because chimney without manhole is stiffer
than chimney with manhole.

Stress Diagrams of Cantilever Steel Chimney

(FEM)

Fig.5.8: Stress for chimney with man hole

Fig.5.9: Top deflection of the chimney without Fig.5.11: Stress at the base of the cantilever steel
manhole chimney (wind in x - direction)

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Fig.5.12: Stress at the flared portion of the chimney Fig.5.15: Stresses at the inspection manhole (DL and
(wind in x - direction) LL condition)

Fig.5.13: Stress at the top of the chimney (wind in x Fig.5.16: Stresses at the inspection manhole (wind
- direction) load condition)
V. Conclusion
The main objective of the present study was to
explain the importance of geometrical limitations in
the design of cantilever steel chimney. A detailed
literature review is carried out as part of the present
study on wind engineering, design and analysis of
steel chimney as well as concrete chimney.
Estimation of wind effects (along wind & across
wind), vortex shedding, vibration analysis, and gust
factor are studied. There is no published literature
found on the effect of geometry on the design of
cantilever steel chimney.
Design of a cantilever steel chimney as per IS 6533
(Part-1 and 2): 1989 is discussed through example
calculations. A study is carried out to understand the
Fig.5.14: Stresses of the chimney wall for DL and logic behind geometrical limitations given in Indian
LL condition Standard IS 6533 (Part-1 and 2): 1989. The relation
between geometrical parameters and corresponding
moments and shear is developed by using EXCEL
Spread sheets. Two parameters: (i) top-to-base
diameter ratio and (ii) height-to-base diameter ratio
were considered for this study. A numbers of

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chimneys with different dimensions analyzed for [8] G Hirsch and H Ruscheweyh (1975), Full-scale
dynamic wind load. A total of 66 numbers measurements on steel chimney stacks. Journal
Cantilever steel flared unlined chimneys were of Industrial Aerodynamics. 1, pp. 341-347.
analyzed for dynamic wind load due to pulsation of [9] GK Verboom and H Van Koten (2010), Vortex
thrust caused by wind velocity. excitation: Three design rules tested on 13
To explain the effect of inspection manhole on the industrial chimneys, Journal of Wind
behavior of Cantilever steel chimney, two chimney Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics. 98,
models one with the manhole and other without pp. 145-154.
manhole are taken into consideration. These models [10] SO Hasen (1998), Vortex-induced vibrations
are analyzed by finite element software STAAD Pro. of line-like structures, CICIND Report, 1(15),
It is found from these analyses that maximum pp.15-23.
moment and the maximum bending stress due to
dynamic wind load in a Cantilever steel chimney are
continuous function of the geometry (top-to-base
diameter ratio and height-to-base diameter ratio).
This study does not support the IS 6533 (Part-2):
1989 criteria for minimum top diameter to the height
ratio of the chimney and minimum base diameter to
the top diameter of the chimney.
Inspection manhole increases the stress resultant and
top displacement in a Cantilever steel chimney. This
is because manhole reduces the effective stiffness of
a chimney as evident from the modal analysis
results. Therefore it is important to consider manhole
opening in the analysis and design of Cantilever
steel chimney.

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