Helicopter Hanger
Helicopter Hanger
(OP)
Our Client has asked that we design him a helicopter hanger consisting of a basic 20m Portal Frame with door on gable. We intend to design it as an opensided building for wind forces etc but where would we get information on Helicopter Weights and forces generated by the rotars Etc. He has not bought a Helicopter yet but wants the building constructed before hand. Are there any standards ? and would appreciate any additional advise on potential problems etc. I imagine the helicopter will land outside the building and will be moved using a trailer of some kind
Kieran






RE: Helicopter Hanger
There is a downloadable standard for heliports but these understood as superstructure.
Helideck structural requirements
Prepared by
PAFA Consulting Engineers
for the Health and Safety Executive
Respect the forces the helicopter can generate are comensurate to the maximum weights, which vary wildly.
RE: Helicopter Hanger
There are too many types and sizes of helicopters to be able to usefully estimate the weight. You need to ask your client which models he has under consideration, and then contact those vendors yourself. They can supply you with wheel (or skid) loadings, rotor diameters, height, etc. You'll need wheel loadings and spacing for floor slab design (and the roof deck if he intends to use the roof as a landing pad).
The rotor wash will not likely affect your main frame design, since the forces dissipate rapidly with distance, but you will want to pay special attention to overhangs, cladding and components that might be subject to those forces, since they will be multidirectional. Again, the manufacturer should be able to provide some guidance if you don't find it in Ishvaaag's reference.
Good luck.