Dynamic Wind Loading of Heliostats - Efficient Simulation of Resonance Effects

A method for the design of heliostats considering dynamic wind loads is presented. The transient FEM simulation is based on a CAD model of the heliostat and a pressure distribution time series measured in a wind tunnel. In order to minimise the calculation times, a simplified FEM model is used first to determine the period in which the maximum deformations occur. The stresses can then be determined for this period using a more precise model.