ASCE 7-16 Wind Load on Buildings and Structures

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April 17, 2025

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Wind Speed Calculation as per ASCE 7-16 (“Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures”) provides a systematic approach to determining wind loads on buildings and structures. The calculation involves determining wind speed, exposure categories, wind pressure, and applying appropriate load factors.

Step 1: Determine Basic Wind Speed (V)

The Basic Wind Speed (V) is obtained from ASCE 7-16, Figure 26.5-1 based on geographic location.
Expressed in miles per hour (mph) or meters per second (m/s).
Example: Assume V = 130 mph (Risk Category II, Exposure C).

Step 2: Identify the Risk Category

ASCE 7-16 classifies buildings into four Risk Categories:

Risk Category I – Low-risk structures (e.g., barns, storage).
Risk Category II – Standard buildings (e.g., residential, offices, retail).
Risk Category III – Public buildings (e.g., schools, jails, assembly halls).
Risk Category IV – Essential facilities (e.g., hospitals, emergency services).

The wind importance factor (I_W) is considered based on this category.

Step 3: Determine the Exposure Category

Exposure categories define the surrounding terrain’s effect on wind:

Exposure B – Urban/suburban areas with closely spaced buildings.
Exposure C – Open terrain with scattered obstructions (e.g., airports).
Exposure D – Flat, unobstructed areas near large bodies of water.

For our example, we assume Exposure C.

Step 4: Compute Wind Pressure

Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS) Pressure Calculation

Qz = 0.00256 . K_{z .} K_{d .} K_e . V²

Where:

qz = Wind pressure (psf or N/m²)
Kz = Velocity pressure exposure coefficient (Table 26.10-1 ASCE 7-16)
Kd = Directionality factor (typically 0.85)
Ke = Ground elevation factor (typically 1.0 at sea level)
V = Basic Wind Speed (mph)

For V = 130 mph, Exposure C, and Building Height = 50 ft:

Kz=1.03 (from Table 26.10-1)
Kd=0.85
Ke=1.0K_e = 1.0Ke=1.0

Qz = 0.00256 × 1.03 × 0.85 × 1.0 × (130)²

qz ≈ 37.4psf

Click Here to Download Excel Spread sheet – ASCE 7-16 Wind Load on Buildings and Structures

Step 5: Apply Load Factors and Combinations

According to ASCE 7-16 Load Combinations:

1.0D + 0.6W
0.9D + 1.0W (for uplift calculations)

Example: Load Combination for Wind Load

If:

Dead Load (D) = 50 psf
Wind Load (W) = 37.4 psf

Then, using the factored wind load formula:

U = 1.0D + 0.6W = (1.0×50) + (0.6×37.4)

U = 1.0D + 0.6W =

U= 50 + 22.44 = 72.44 psf

Conclusion

Using ASCE 7-16, wind loads are calculated based on wind speed, exposure, building height, and terrain conditions. The obtained wind pressure is then applied to the structure using factored load combinations to ensure structural safety and compliance.