Wind Loads (ASCE 7-22)
US structural engineers calculating wind loads to ASCE 7-22 for Components and Cladding and MWFRS. Covers velocity pressure, pressure coefficients, and design pressures for low-rise buildings, with override options for exposure, topography, and directionality.
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What it calculates
Calculate MWFRS and C&C wind pressures to ASCE 7-22 for low-rise buildings. Velocity pressure, pressure coefficients, and design pressures are shown alongside code references. Handles straightforward sites and detailed overrides when exposure, topography, or directionality warrants it.
Code standards
- ASCE 7-22
Who uses this calculator
US structural engineers calculating wind loads to ASCE 7-22 for Components and Cladding and MWFRS. Covers velocity pressure, pressure coefficients, and design pressures for low-rise buildings, with override options for exposure, topography, and directionality.
Calculate wind pressures for both C&C and MWFRS in one template, aligned to ASCE 7-22 and IBC 2024.
How it calculates
The Wind Loads (ASCE 7-22) calculator determines design wind pressures for low-rise buildings in the US per ASCE 7-22. It covers three distinct procedures in a single template: Components and Cladding (C&C) per Chapter 30 Part 1 (Cl. 30.3), the MWFRS Envelope Procedure per Chapter 28, and the MWFRS Directional Procedure per Chapter 27.
Site and building inputs
Key inputs are:
- Basic wind speed (V) - from the ASCE 7-22 Figure 26.5-1 maps, or entered manually
- Exposure category - B, C, or D, which sets the velocity pressure exposure coefficient K_z
- Building dimensions - roof mean height (h), least horizontal dimension (B_min), and roof pitch (alpha)
- Enclosure classification - enclosed, partially enclosed, or open, which drives internal pressure coefficients (GCpi)
- Topographic factor (K_zt) - computed from hill height, half-length, and site distance per ASCE 7-22 Cl. 26.8, or entered as 1.0 for flat terrain
- Ground elevation factor (K_e) - based on elevation above sea level per ASCE 7-22
Velocity pressure
The design velocity pressure at height z is:
q_z = 0.00256 × K_z × K_zt × K_d × K_e × V² (lb/ft², V in mph)
At mean roof height h, this becomes q_h, which is the reference pressure for C&C and MWFRS envelope calculations.
C&C pressures (ASCE 7-22 Ch. 30)
External pressure coefficients (GCp) are looked up from ASCE 7-22 figures as a function of effective wind area and roof zone (zones 1, 2, 3 for roofs; zones 4 and 5 for walls). Net design pressure combines external and internal coefficients:
p = q_h × [(GCp) - (GCpi)]
Zone widths a, 0.6h, and 0.2h are calculated automatically from building dimensions. Separate pressures are reported for roof and wall members for the effective areas entered.
MWFRS pressures
For the Envelope Procedure (Chapter 28), pseudo-lateral pressures on windward and leeward walls and roof zones are determined using simplified load cases A and B for both wind directions. For the Directional Procedure (Chapter 27), wall and roof pressure coefficients (Cp) are used with the velocity pressure at each height, and load cases 1 and 2 are applied. Overhang bottom-surface pressure is also calculated for both procedures.
Tornado loads (ASCE 7-22 Ch. 32)
If tornado speed (V_T) is specified, tornado pressures are calculated and reported separately alongside wind pressures.
Assumptions and limitations
The calculator assumes no parapets (unless the parapet option is enabled), flat/gable/hip/monoslope roof geometry, and Cl. 26.2 low-rise building classification. The b-note reduction for pressure coefficients in the Directional Procedure is not applied. Results are tabulated by zone and load case, with each pressure linked to its governing ASCE 7-22 clause.
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Frequently asked questions
What design standard does this calculator use?
What are the key inputs?
What does the calculator output?
Does this cover both MWFRS and C&C in the same calculation?
When should I use ASCE 7-22 versus ASCE 7-16 for wind loads?
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