Efficacy of a Framed-Photovoltaic Module as a Structural-Bracing Member
Research Summary
Solar carport installation require miles of purlins that support thousands of photovoltaic modules. The structural engineering community is divided on the ability of these photovoltaic modules to provide structural support for the underlying purlins. This research effort addressed this and conducted a fundamental study of the efficacy of a framed-photovoltaic module as a structural-bracing member. The study focused on top-flange compression load case with the purlins loaded in their major-axis.
Outcomes
Demonstrated that framed photovoltaic modules do not behave as a structural-bracing member. The modules, however, significantly increase the structural capacity of the underlying framework, captured correctly with the presented analytical models
Developed a three-dimensional analytical model in Abaqus to determine the onset of lateral-torsional buckling failure and post-buckling behavior of purlin assembly to accurately model the presence of photovoltaic modules
Conducted a full-scale minor-axis bending test to demonstrate the ability of PV modules to increase the minor-axis section modulus of the purlin assembly
Conducted the first-account of a full-scale four-point bend test to verify the accuracy of the analytical model in predicting the onset of later-torsional buckling and post-buckling behavior of the purlin assembly
Created a cost-effective and fully-customizable solar-canopy design
Accepted for publication in Solar Energy, Trans. of Elsevier
