WINDLOAD COMPUTATIONS

• Produced by the flow of wind around the structure.

• The magnitudes of wind loads that may act on a structure depend on
geographical location of the structure, obstructions in its surrounding
terrain, and the geometry and the vibrational characteristics of the
structure itself.
• When structures block the flow of wind, the wind’s kinetic energy is
converted into potential energy of pressure which causes a wind
loading.
• For static approach, the pressure q of the wind is defined by its
kinetic energy
1
q  V 2

2

• Where rho ( ) is the density of the air and V is the its velocity
WINDLOAD COMPUTATIONS
This equation is modified to account for the importance of the structure, its
height, and the terrain in which it is located:

q z  0.00256 K z K zt K dV I 2
FPS 

qz  0.613K z K zt KdV I 2
SI 
Note : For Velocity [ V = kph for SI and V = mph for FPS]
Importance Factor, I
OCCUPANCY CATEGORY
Wind Velocity, V
Velocity Exposure Coefficient, Kz
• Accounts for both the influence of height above grade and exposure
conditions.

EXPOSURE B- urban and suburban or wooded areas with low structures.

EXPOSURE C- open terrain with scattered obstructions generally less than

30 ft(9.1m). This category flat open country and all water surfaces in
regions with records of extreme typhoons.

EXPOSURE D- flat, unobstructed areas exposed to wind flowing over open

water for a distance of at least 1 mi(1.61 Km)
Topographic Factor, Kzt

• A factor that accounts for wind speed increases due to hills.

• Equals 1 if building is located on flat ground.

• For building located on elevated sites (top of hills) Kzt

increases.
Wind Direction Factor, Kd

• Accounts for the reduced

probability of maximum winds
coming from any given
direction
Design Wind Pressure for Enclosed Buildings

• Using “directional procedure” the wind pressure on an

enclosed building of any height is determined using two
termed equation resulting from both external and internal
pressures.

p  qGC p  qh (GC pi )
 p  qGC p  qh (GC pi )
Where:
q= qz for the windward wall at height z above the ground, and qh for
the leeward walls, side walls and roof, where z=h, the mean height of
the roof.
G= a wind-gust effect factor, which depends upon the exposure, for a
rigid structure, G=0.85
Cp= wall or roof pressure coefficient
(Gcpi)= internal pressure coefficient.
The signs indicate that either positive or negative(suction)
pressure can occur within the building.
SITUATION 6: Wind Load

• The enclosed building shown in the

photo is used for storage purposes
and is located in Pampanga on open
and flat terrain. When the wind is
directed as shown , determine the
design wind pressure acting on the
roof and sides of the building.
Design Wind Pressure for Signs
• If the structure represents a sign, the wind will produce a resultant force
acting on the face of the sign which is determined from

F  qhGC f As
Where:
• qh= the wind pressure evaluated at the height h, measured from the ground to the top of the
sign.
• G= the wind-gust coefficient factor
• Cf= a force coefficient which depends upon the aspect ratio (width B of the sign to height s of
the sign), and the clear are ratio (sign height s to the elevation h, measured from the ground to
the top of the sign.
• As- the area of the face of the sign in square meter.
SITUATION 7: Wind Load

The sign is located in Bataan on

open and flat terrain. Determine
the resultant force of the wind
acting on its face. Use an
importance factor I=0.87.