How to Calculate Wind Load

Edited by Lael Rapier, Chris, Maluniu

High winds can be very destructive. The speed of the wind--or wind velocity--acts as
pressure when it eets with a structure. The intensity of that pressure is the wind
load. There are any factors that can be considered in wind calculations for load and
they are useful in designing and constructing wind-resistant buildings. !nowing how
to calculate wind load can help people create safer buildings.
1. Know that wind velocity varies at various distances from the ground.
"ind speed increases with structural height.
"ind velocity is ost unpredictable closer to the ground, because it is affected
by interacting with things on the ground.
This unpredictability a#es it difficult to a#e accurate wind calculations.
2. Find the value for wind pressures with the formula, wind pressure !sf" # .
$$2%& ' ()2.
$ is the wind speed in iles per hour.
%n alternative to calculating for wind pressure at a particular wind speed is to
use the standard for various wind &ones. 'or e(aple, according to the
Electronic )ndustries %ssociation *E)%+ ost of the ,.-. is in .one % with
/0.0 ph wind, but coastal areas ight lie in .one 1 *233 ph+ or .one C
*222./ Mph+.
*. Compute the drag coefficient.
4rag is the pressure an ob5ect is sub5ect to. 6ne of the factors that deterines
drag is the drag coefficient, which is due to the shape and other factors of the
ob5ect. The following drag coefficients are used in calculating wind load7
2.8 for long cylinder tubes or ./ for short cylinders, such as antenna tubes
found on soe buildings.
8.3 for long flat plates or 2.9 for shorter flat plates, such as the face of a
building.
The difference between drag coefficient for flat and cylinder ites is
appro(iately .0.
+. Calculate wind load or force with the general formula of F # , ' ! ' Cd.
Multiply the area by wind pressure and by drag coefficient.
' is force.
% is the area.
: is the wind pressure.
Cd is the drag coefficient.
%. -se a newer version of the formula developed .y the /lectronic 0ndustries
,ssociation, F # , ' ! ' Cd 1 K2 ' 3h.
This forula also factors in7
!&, which is the e(posure coefficient calculated by ;&<==>?*8<@+ where & is the
height fro the ground to the idpoint of the ob5ect.
Ah, which is the gust response factor calculated as .0BC.03<*h<==+?*2<@+ where
h is the height of the ob5ect.
&. Consider the -4C 567 formula, which is the 1167 version of the -niform
4uilding Code for wind calculation for load.
The forula is the load or force in the area of the ite by the wind pressure. The
difference is that wind pressure *:sf+ is calculated as Ce ( CD ( Es.
7. Ce is a num.er ta8en from a ta.le with three terrain e'posures with various
heights and Ce values for each.
CD is the pressure coefficient or the drag coefficient.
Es is the wind stagnation pressure, ta#en fro another ,1C table