Wind loads on conveyor galleries are often underestimated or oversimplified, but getting the calculation right is critical. Wind loading may be a routine part of structural design, but when it comes to conveyor galleries, it gets complicated. These elevated, open-frame structures are rarely standard and often exposed to varied and extreme conditions, making wind load assumptions tricky. Whether it’s overestimating wind pressure (and overspending on steel) or missing critical aerodynamic factors, engineers can’t afford to get it wrong.
ASPEC’s latest technical paper explores how engineers can approach wind loads on conveyor galleries more accurately using a mix of analytical methods, CFD modelling, and wind tunnel testing. While AS/NZS 1170.2:2021 offers guidance, it doesn’t always reflect the real-world behaviour of conveyor galleries – especially when it comes to drag coefficients, shielding effects, and structural dynamics. This paper compares standard code-based approaches with test-based results and highlights where the biggest variations tend to occur.
The discussion includes the role of terrain categories, shielding multipliers, and structural porosity, and why relying on default drag values can be problematic. For projects with long spans or exposed gallery runs, small misjudgements in wind loading can have a big impact on design decisions.
Download the full paper below to learn how to apply better-informed wind load assessments for conveyor galleries and where the limits of standard code assumptions may lie.