Wind Loads

Simplified Approach: MWFRS

Enclosed Simple Diaphragm Buildings with h ≤ 160 ft

* This section applies to enclosed buildings with a mean roof height h ≤ 160 feet.
 Enclosed Simple Diaphragm Low-Rise Buildings

* A low-rise building is enclosed or partially enclosed and has a mean roof height h
less than or equal to 60 feet. Also, the mean roof height h cannot exceed the least
horizontal dimension.
 Example: MWFRS Simple Procedure
The commercial building is an enclosed simple diaphragm building rectangular in plan,
with an eave height of 15 feet, and gable roof with slope of 26.6 degrees. The building
is located in Arkansas on flat terrain with Exposure B in all directions. Determine the
design wind pressures using the simplified approach in ASCE 7 Chapter 28.

45 ft o 10 ft
26.6

15 ft

40 ft 40 ft

Plan View Elevation View

 Example: MWFRS Simple Procedure
Step 1:
Risk Category: II

Step 2:
Basic Wind Speed: 115 mph

Step 3:
Exposure Category: B
Topographic Factor Kzt: 1.0

Step 4:
Wind Pressures for h = 30 ft, pS30
For Case A, interpolation
of pressures is allowed.

o
26.6
 Example: MWFRS Simple Procedure

o o o
Using q = 26.6 , linearly interpolate pressures between 25 and 30 .

Pressures pS30 Case A

Zone A B C D E F G H
Load Case 1 25.4 8.0 19.0 7.1 -7.4 -15.4 -5.6 -12.6
Load Case 2 25.4 8.0 19.0 7.1 -0.1 -8.2 1.7 -5.3
 o
For Case B use q = 0 .

o
26.6
 Example: MWFRS Simple Procedure

o
Using q = 0 , pressures are taken directly from the table.

Pressures pS30 Case B

Zone A C E F G H
Load Case 1 21.0 13.9 -25.2 -14.3 -17.5 -11.1
 Example: MWFRS Simple Procedure
Step 5:
 Example: MWFRS Simple Procedure
Step 6:
Adjusted Wind Pressures: 𝑝𝑠 = 𝜆𝐾𝑧𝑡 𝑝𝑆30 = (1.0)(1.0)𝑝𝑆30 = 𝑝𝑆30

Load Case 1 Load Case 2

 Example: MWFRS Simple Procedure
Step 6:
Adjusted Wind Pressures: 𝑝𝑠 = 𝜆𝐾𝑧𝑡 𝑝𝑆30 = (1.0)(1.0)𝑝𝑆30 = 𝑝𝑆30

Load Case 1
The sum of the external
pressures is assumed to
vary linearly from po to ph.
Notes to Wall Pressure Table 27.6-1:
Table 27.6-1
 Example: MWFRS Simple Procedure
The building is an enclosed rigid office building that is located in Boca Raton on flat
terrain with Exposure B from all directions. Determine the design wind pressures
considering wind parallel to the short and long dimensions of the building.

95 ft
Example: MWFRS Simple Procedure
 Steps to Determine Design Wind Pressures
Step 1: (Table 1.5-1) Risk Category II

Step 2: (Figure 26.5-1A) Basic Wind Speed V = 170 mph

Step 3: (Table 26.6-1) Wind Directionality Factor Kd = 0.85

(Section 26.7) Exposure Category Exposure B (in all directions)
(Section 26.8) Topographic Effects Kzt = 1.0
(Section 26.10) Enclosure Classification Enclosed

Step 4: (Table 27.6-1) Net Pressures on Walls at

Top and Bottom of Building

L/B = 60/120 = 0.5 V = 170 mph

h = 95 ft

Wind Parallel to ph = [(69.6 + 91.2)/2 + (65.9 + 86.0)/2]/2 = 78.2 psf

Short Side po = [(50.9 + 66.7)/2 + (49.2 + 64.2)/2]/2 = 57.8 psf
 Steps to Determine Design Wind Pressures
Step 4 (Cont’d): (Wind Parallel to Short Side)

External Pressures on Leeward Wall (Table 27.6-1 Note 4.)

L/B = 0.5 pleeward = 0.38(-78.2) = -29.7 psf

External Pressures on Windward Wall

ph windward = 78.2 – 29.7 = 48.5 psf
po windward = 57.8 – 29.7 = 28.1 psf
External Pressures on Side Walls (Table 27.6-1 Note 2.)
L/B = 0.5 pside = 0.54(-78.2) = -42.2 psf
 Steps to Determine Design Wind Pressures
Step 4 (Cont’d):

L/B = 120/60 = 2 V = 170 mph

h = 95 ft

Wind Parallel to ph = [(62.9 + 82.8)/2 + (59.5 + 78.0)/2]/2 = 70.8 psf

Long Side po = [(43.0 + 56.6)/2 + (41.7 + 54.6)/2]/2 = 49.0 psf
 Steps to Determine Design Wind Pressures
Step 4 (Cont’d): (Wind Parallel to Long Side)

External Pressures on Leeward Wall (Table 27.6-1 Note 4.)

L/B = 2 pleeward = 0.27(-70.8) = -19.1 psf

External Pressures on Windward Wall

ph windward = 70.8 – 19.1 = 51.7 psf
po windward = 49.0 – 19.1 = 29.9 psf
External Pressures on Side Walls (Table 27.6-1 Note 2.)
L/B = 2 pside = 0.64(-70.8) = -45.3 psf
 Steps to Determine Design Wind Pressures
Step 5: (Table 27.6-2) Net Roof Pressures h = 95 ft V = 170 mph

Table 27.6-2 Exposure C Conditions

Zone 3:
-1[(74.7 + 94.6)/2 + (73.1 + 92.5)/2]/2 = -83.7 psf

Zone 4:
-1[(66.6 + 84.3)/2 + (65.2 + 82.5)/2]/2 = -74.7 psf

Zone 5:
-1[(54.6 + 69.2)/2 + (53.4 + 67.6)/2]/2 = -61.2 psf
 Steps to Determine Design Wind Pressures
Step 5: (Table 27.6-2) Net Roof Pressures h = 95 ft V = 170 mph

Table 27.6-2 Exposure C Conditions

Zone 3:
-83.7 psf
Zone 4:
-74.7 psf
Zone 5:
-61.2 psf

Convert to Exposure B Conditions

Zone 3:
(0.781 + 0.775)/2](-83.7) = -65.1 psf
Zone 4:
(0.781 + 0.775)/2](-74.7) = -58.1 psf
Zone 5:
(0.781 + 0.775)/2](-61.2) = -47.6 psf
 Steps to Determine Design Wind Pressures
Step 6: (Section 26.8) Topographic Effects Kzt = 1.0
For this example it is assumed the building is located on flat terrain.
Thus, Kzt = 1.0 and there’s no need to adjust the wind pressures.
Step 7: (Figure 27.4-8) Apply the loads to the walls and roof simultaneously.
Load cases involving torsional moments need not be considered for
buildings meeting the requirements in ASCE Appendix D.
Wind Parallel to the Long Side Wind Parallel to the Short Side
-42.2
-45.3 Wind Wind
Direction Direction

B = 120 ft
B = 60 ft

L = 120 ft

-45.3 L = 60 ft
All pressures
given in psf. -42.2

-58.1 -65.1 -65.1 -58.1

-47.6
51.7 48.5

h = 95 ft
h = 95 ft

-19.1 -29.7

L = 120 ft 29.9 28.1 L = 60 ft

Comparison of Wind Pressures Using Different Design Approaches

-45.3 Wind -36.7 Wind

Direction Direction

B = 60 ft
B = 60 ft

L = 120 ft L = 125 ft

-45.3 -36.7
Regular Directional
All pressures
Approach gives
given in psf. pressures that are
-65.1 -50.8 about 20% lower.
-47.6
-58.1 -31.4 -41.9
51.7
41.9

h = 95 ft
h = 95 ft

-19.1 -15.7

L = 120 ft 29.9 L = 125 ft 24.4

Simplified Approach Regular Directional Approach

Comparison of Wind Pressures Using Different Design Approaches
-42.2 -36.7

Wind Wind
Direction Direction

B = 125 ft
B = 120 ft

L = 60 ft L = 60 ft
-42.2 -36.7
All pressures
-65.1 -58.1 given in psf. -54.5 -36.7 Regular Directional
Approach gives
48.5 pressures that are
41.9 about 15% lower.

h = 95 ft
h = 95 ft

-29.7 -26.2

28.1 L = 60 ft 24.4 L = 60 ft

Simplified Approach Regular Directional Approach

 Load Case 1a
Design Wind Parallel to Long Building Dimension

1a

51.7 − 29.9
𝑝𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 = 𝑧 + 29.9 Case 1a:
95 Horizontal loading (x-direction)

z(ft) p (psf)
0 – 7.917 50.8
Use pressures at the 7.917 – 23.750 54.5
mid-height of floor 23.750 – 39.583 58.1
and conservatively 39.583 – 55.417 61.7
use throughout the
55.417 – 71.250 65.4
mid-height of the
floor below. 71.250 – 87.083 69.0
87.083 – 95 70.8

Assume 6 floors with equal floor heights (15 ft - 10 in)

 Load Case 1b
Design Wind Parallel to Short Building Dimension

1b

Case 1b:
Horizontal loading (y-direction)

z(ft) p (psf)
0 – 7.917 59.5
7.917 – 23.750 62.9
23.750 – 39.583 66.3
39.583 – 55.417 69.7
55.417 – 71.250 73.1
71.250 – 87.083 76.5
87.083 – 95 78.2
48.5 − 28.1
𝑝𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 = 𝑧 + 28.1
95
 Load Case 3
Design Wind Load Applied Simultaneously

Case 3:
Horizontal loading

z(ft) px (psf) py (psf)

0 – 7.917 38.1 44.6
7.917 – 23.750 40.9 47.2
23.750 – 39.583 43.6 49.7
39.583 – 55.417 46.3 52.3
55.417 – 71.250 49.1 54.8
71.250 – 87.083 51.8 57.4
87.083 – 95 53.1 58.7
 Load Case 1a
Design Wind Parallel to Long Building Dimension

Convert the wind pressures to a 1a

distributed load at each floor.
WxR

Wx6

Wx5
Case 1a:
Wx4 Horizontal loading (x-direction)

Wx3 z(ft) p (psf)

0 – 7.917 50.8
Wx2 7.917 – 23.750 54.5
23.750 – 39.583 58.1
39.583 – 55.417 61.7
55.417 – 71.250 65.4
71.250 – 87.083 69.0
87.083 – 95 70.8
 Load Case 1a
Design Wind Parallel to Long Building Dimension

z(ft) p (psf) Floor z(ft) Distributed Load Wx (lbs/ft) Floor Wx (k/ft)

0 – 7.917 50.8
15.83 Eqn: 54.5(23.750 - 7.917) 2 0.863
7.917 – 23.750 54.5
31.67 Eqn: 58.1(39.583 - 23.750) 3 0.920
23.750 – 39.583 58.1
47.50 Eqn: 61.7(55.417 - 39.583) 4 0.977
39.583 – 55.417 61.7
63.33 Eqn: 65.4(71.250 - 55.417) 5 1.035
55.417 – 71.250 65.4
79.17 Eqn: 69.0(87.083 - 71.250) 6 1.092
71.250 – 87.083 69.0
95.00 Eqn: 70.8(95 - 87.083) R 0.561
87.083 – 95 70.8
 Load Case 1a
Design Wind Parallel to Long Building Dimension

Distributed load at each floor

0.561

1.092

1.035

0.977

0.920

0.863

kips/ft
 Load Case 1b
Design Wind Parallel to Short Building Dimension

1b

WyR

Wy6
Case 1b:
Wy5 Horizontal loading (y-direction)

Wy4 z(ft) p (psf)

0 – 7.917 59.5
Wy3
7.917 – 23.750 62.9
Wy2 23.750 – 39.583 66.3
39.583 – 55.417 69.7
55.417 – 71.250 73.1
71.250 – 87.083 76.5
87.083 – 95 78.2
 Load Case 1b
Design Wind Parallel to Short Building Dimension

z(ft) p (psf) Floor z(ft) Distributed Load Wy (lbs/ft) Floor Wy (k/ft)

0 – 7.917 59.5
15.83 Eqn: 62.9(23.750 - 7.917) 2 0.996
7.917 – 23.750 62.9
31.67 Eqn: 66.3(39.583 - 23.750) 3 1.050
23.750 – 39.583 66.3
47.50 Eqn: 69.7(55.417 - 39.583) 4 1.104
39.583 – 55.417 69.7
63.33 Eqn: 73.1(71.250 - 55.417) 5 1.157
55.417 – 71.250 73.1
79.17 Eqn: 76.5(87.083 - 71.250) 6 1.211
71.250 – 87.083 76.5
95.00 Eqn: 78.2(95 - 87.083) R 0.619
87.083 – 95 78.2
 Load Case 1b
Design Wind Long and Short Building Dimension

0.619

1.211

1.157

1.104

1.050

0.996

kips/ft
 Load Case 3
Design Wind Long and Short Building Dimension

WxR
WyR
Wx6
Wy6
Wx5

Wx4
Wy5 Case 3:
Wy4 Horizontal loading
Wx3
Wy3
Wx2 z(ft) px (psf) py (psf)
Wy2
0 – 7.917 38.1 44.6
7.917 – 23.750 40.9 47.2
23.750 – 39.583 43.6 49.7
39.583 – 55.417 46.3 52.3
55.417 – 71.250 49.1 54.8
71.250 – 87.083 51.8 57.4
87.083 – 95 53.1 58.7
 Load Case 3
Design Wind Long and Short Building Dimension

Wx (k/ft) Wy (k/ft) Floor z(ft) Floor 0.75Wx (k/ft) 0.75Wy (k/ft)

0.863 0.996 15.83 2 0.647 0.747

0.920 1.050 31.67 3 0.690 0.787

0.977 1.104 47.50 4 0.733 0.828

1.035 1.157 63.33 5 0.777 0.868

1.092 1.211 79.17 6 0.819 0.908

0.561 0.619 95.00 R 0.420 0.464

 Load Case 3
Design Wind Long and Short Building Dimension

0.420
0.464
0.819
0.908
0.777
0.868
0.733
0.828
0.690
0.787
0.647
0.747

kips/ft