Chapter 7 - W: Wind Loads

© 2007, T. Bartlett Quimby

Section 7.4.1

Example Problem 7.1

Two Story Building
Method 2
Last Revised: 12/19/2010

Given: The enclosed office building shown in Figure 7.4.1.1. The building is located in a region
with a wind speed (3-sec gust) of 120 mph. The exposure is Exposure C. The building is on flat
terrain.

Figure 7.4.1.1
Building Definition

Wanted: The wind pressures applied to the surfaces and the net forces applied to the building.
Solution: To solve this problem, we need to independently look at two different wind directions,
but first we will define a few parameters.

Determine critical elevations:

 Mean Roof Height: h = 2*11' + (3/12)*25'/2 = 25.1 ft

 Mean 2nd Floor Height: h = 11' + 11'/2 = 16.5 ft

 Mean 1st Floor Height: h = 11'/2 = 5.5 ft

Compute the Velocity Pressures, qz = .00256 Kz Kzt Kd V2 I (ASCE 7-05 Equation 6-15)

 Kzt = 1 (Flat Terrain)

 Kd = .85 (ASCE 7-05 Table 6-4, Buildings)

 I = 1.0 (ASCE 7-05 Table 6-1, Category II building)

 Kz = varies with elevation = 2.01(max(h,15)/900)(2/9.5), (ASCE 7-05 Tables 6-2 and 6-3)

h Kz qz
(ft) (psf)
Roof 25.125 0.946 29.7
2nd flr 16.5 0.866 27.1
1st flr 5.5 0.849 26.6

Compute the Internal Pressures, qhGCpi:

 GCpi = + 0.18 (ASCE 7-05 Figure 6-5)

 qh = 29.7 psf

 qhGCpi = + 5.34 psf

Determine the Gust Factor, G

 G = 0.85 (ASCE 7-05, 6.5.8.1)

Wind in the N/S Direction:

For this part of the problem we need to determine pressure coefficients for the locations shown in
Figure 7.4.1.2 as well as for the side walls. These coefficients are then combined with the gust
factor and velocity pressures to obtain the external pressures in each region.

Figure 7.4.1.2
N/S Building Section

The pressure coefficients for the walls are found in ASCE 7-05 Figure 6-6 (pg 49)
For the Windward wall (P1 & P2), Cp is 0.8 for all elevations.

For the Leeward wall (P5 & P6), Cp is dependent on the ration of L/B. In this case L/B = 50'/90' =
0.556, so Cp = -0.50 for all elevations.

For the sidewalls (not shown in Figure 7.4.1.2), the value of C p is -0.7 in all cases.

For the roof, the slope angle is 14.0 degrees. This is close to 15 degrees and probably not worth
interpolating between the values given in ASCE 7-05 Figure 6-6. We also need to know that h/L =
25.1'/50' = 0.50. From the Figure we get that the values of Cp for the Windward side of the roof is
-0.70 and -0.18. These values represent two different load cases. For the Leeward side, Cp is
-0.50.

We can now compute the external pressures, qGCp, for each surface. The following table shows the
computation results:

Pressure Cp q qGCp
(psf) (psf)
Windward Wall P1 0.8 26.6 18.1
P2 0.8 27.1 18.5
Windward Roof P3 -0.7 29.7 -17.6
P3 -0.18 29.7 -4.5
Leeward Roof P4 -0.5 29.7 -12.6
Leeward Wall P5 -0.5 29.7 -12.6
P6 -0.5 29.7 -12.6
Side Walls P7 -0.7 29.7 -17.6

Combining with the internal pressures you get the following four load cases where:

 Case I includes the maximum windward pressure (-17.6 psf) and positive internal pressure
 Case II includes the minimum windward pressure (-4.5 psf) and positive internal pressure

 Case III includes the maximum windward pressure (-17.6 psf) and negative internal
pressure

 Case IV includes the minimum windward pressure (-4.5 psf) and negative internal pressure

The net forces are found by multiplying the appropriate pressures by the areas over which they act. In this building all
but the gable ends are rectangles, making the area calculation easier. Note that we are computing actual surface areas
(as opposed to projected areas) in each of the cases below. Also, the sign is important. Negative signs indicate a force
that is outward from the surface and a positive sign is inward. All forces are normal to their respective surfaces.

Net Pressures: Net Force

Pressure Case I Case II Case III Case IV Areas Case I Case II Case III Case IV
(psf) (psf) (psf) (psf) (ft2) (k) (k) (k) (k)
Windward Wall P1 12.8 12.8 23.4 23.4 990 12.62 12.62 23.19 23.19
P2 13.1 13.1 23.8 23.8 990 12.99 12.99 23.55 23.55
Windward
Roof P3 -23.0 -9.9 -12.3 0.8 2319 -53.29 -22.90 -28.54 1.86
Leeward Roof P4 -17.9 -17.9 -7.3 -7.3 2319 -41.60 -41.60 -16.85 -16.85
Leeward Wall P5 -17.9 -17.9 -7.3 -7.3 990 -17.76 -17.76 -7.19 -7.19
P6 -17.9 -17.9 -7.3 -7.3 990 -17.76 -17.76 -7.19 -7.19
Side Walls P7 -23.0 -23.0 -12.3 -12.3 1413 -32.46 -32.46 -17.38 -17.38

It is often useful to resolve each force into it's global components so that they can be easily added
vectorially. Figure 7.4.1.3 shows the location of each of the resulting forces.
 Figure 7.4.1.3
Building Forces for N/S Wind

Case
Case I Case II Case III IV
Force E/W N/S vert. E/W N/S vert. E/W N/S vert. E/W N/S vert.
(k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k)
Windward
Wall F1 0.00 12.62 0.00 0.00 12.62 0.00 0.00 23.19 0.00 0.00 23.19 0.00
F2 0.00 12.99 0.00 0.00 12.99 0.00 0.00 23.55 0.00 0.00 23.55 0.00
Windward
Roof F3 0.00 -12.93 51.70 0.00 -5.55 22.22 0.00 -6.92 27.69 0.00 0.45 -1.80
Leeward Roof F4 0.00 10.09 40.36 0.00 10.09 40.36 0.00 4.09 16.34 0.00 4.09 16.34
Leeward Wall F5 0.00 17.76 0.00 0.00 17.76 0.00 0.00 7.19 0.00 0.00 7.19 0.00
F6 0.00 17.76 0.00 0.00 17.76 0.00 0.00 7.19 0.00 0.00 7.19 0.00
Side Walls F7a -32.46 0.00 0.00 -32.46 0.00 0.00 -17.38 0.00 0.00 -17.38 0.00 0.00
F7b 32.46 0.00 0.00 32.46 0.00 0.00 17.38 0.00 0.00 17.38 0.00 0.00
Sum 0.00 58.29 92.06 0.00 65.66 62.58 0.00 58.29 44.03 0.00 65.66 14.54

Note that the maximum uplift and maximum horizontal force do not occur in the same load cases!
Do not combined the two cases, design for each individually.

You will also notice that the internal pressure has no effect on the net horizontal force.

The net force in the lateral direction is zero since the forces on the side walls will cancel each other.
Wind in the E/W Direction

Figure 7.4.1.4 defines the pressures (with the exception of the lateral/side wall pressures) that
need to be computed for wind loading from the E/W direction. In this case we combined all the
leeward wall segments into one because they all have the same pressures.

Figure 7.4.1.4
E/W Building Section

The pressure coefficients are taken from ASCE 7-05 Figure 6-6. Note that the coefficient for the leeward wall is
obtained by interpolation with an L/B ratio of 1.8.

Pressure Cp q qGCp
(psf) (psf)
Windward Wall P8 0.8 26.6 18.1
P9 0.8 27.1 18.5
P10 0.8 29.7 20.2
Roof P11 -0.9 29.7 -22.7
P11 -0.18 29.7 -4.5
P12 -0.5 29.7 -12.6
P12 -0.18 29.7 -4.5
P13 -0.3 29.7 -7.6
P13 -0.18 29.7 -4.5
Leeward Wall P14 -0.34 29.7 -8.6
Side Walls P15 -0.7 29.7 -17.6

Note that some of the pressures are applied to differently oriented surfaces. When the same
pressure is applied to a different surface, we have chosen to label on as "a" and the other as "b".
See Figure 7.4.1.5 for force applications. Four cases are computed, based on combinations of
maximum/minimum roof pressures and + internal pressures.
 Figure 7.4.1.5
Building Forces for E/W Wind
The net forces on each surface, in terms of direction relative the surface, are as follows:

Pressure Case I Case II Case III Case IV Area Case I Case II Case III Case IV
(psf) (psf) (psf) (psf) (ft2) (k) (k) (k) (k)
Windward Wall P8 12.8 12.8 23.4 23.4 550 7.01 7.01 12.88 12.88
P9 13.1 13.1 23.8 23.8 550 7.21 7.21 13.09 13.09
P10 14.8 14.8 25.5 25.5 156 2.32 2.32 3.98 3.98
Roof P11a -28.0 -9.9 -17.3 0.8 647 -18.12 -6.39 -11.22 0.52
P11b -28.0 -9.9 -17.3 0.8 647 -18.12 -6.39 -11.22 0.52
P12a -17.9 -9.9 -7.3 0.8 647 -11.60 -6.39 -4.70 0.52
P12b -17.9 -9.9 -7.3 0.8 647 -11.60 -6.39 -4.70 0.52
P13a -12.9 -9.9 -2.2 0.8 1026 -13.23 -10.13 -2.28 0.82
P13b -12.9 -9.9 -2.2 0.8 1026 -13.23 -10.13 -2.28 0.82
Leeward Wall P14 -13.9 -13.9 -3.2 -3.2 1256 -17.47 -17.47 -4.06 -4.06
Side Walls P15a -23.0 -23.0 -12.3 -12.3 1980 -45.50 -45.50 -24.36 -24.36
P15b -23.0 -23.0 -12.3 -12.3 1980 -45.50 -45.50 -24.36 -24.36

Restating the forces in terms of the global coordinate system we get:

Case
Case I Case II Case III IV
Pressur
e E/W N/S vert. E/W N/S vert. E/W N/S vert. E/W N/S vert.
(k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k) (k)
Windward
Wall F8 7.01 0.00 0.00 7.01 0.00 0.00 12.88 0.00 0.00 12.88 0.00 0.00
F9 7.21 0.00 0.00 7.21 0.00 0.00 13.09 0.00 0.00 13.09 0.00 0.00
F10 2.32 0.00 0.00 2.32 0.00 0.00 3.98 0.00 0.00 3.98 0.00 0.00
Roof F11a 0.00 4.40 17.58 0.00 1.55 6.20 0.00 2.72 10.88 0.00 -0.13 -0.50
F11b 0.00 -4.40 17.58 0.00 -1.55 6.20 0.00 -2.72 10.88 0.00 0.13 -0.50
F12a 0.00 2.81 11.26 0.00 1.55 6.20 0.00 1.14 4.56 0.00 -0.13 -0.50
F12b 0.00 -2.81 11.26 0.00 -1.55 6.20 0.00 -1.14 4.56 0.00 0.13 -0.50
F13a 0.00 3.21 12.83 0.00 2.46 9.82 0.00 0.55 2.21 0.00 -0.20 -0.80
F13b 0.00 -3.21 12.83 0.00 -2.46 9.82 0.00 -0.55 2.21 0.00 0.20 -0.80
Leeward
Wall F14 17.47 0.00 0.00 17.47 0.00 0.00 4.06 0.00 0.00 4.06 0.00 0.00
Side Walls F15a 0.00 45.50 0.00 0.00 45.50 0.00 0.00 24.36 0.00 0.00 24.36 0.00
F15b 0.00 -45.50 0.00 0.00 -45.50 0.00 0.00 -24.36 0.00 0.00 -24.36 0.00
Sum 34.01 0.00 83.34 34.01 0.00 44.43 34.01 0.00 35.31 34.01 0.00 -3.60