Wind Load Calculation (ASCE/SEI 7-16)

The Forte Wind Load Calculator determines the design wind pressure for loading wall members normal to the exterior face of enclosed buildings.

Loading standard: The wind pressure value is calculated according to: ASCE/SEI 7-16 Chapter 30 Wind Loads – Components and Cladding (C&C), Part 1: Low-Rise Buildings.

Limitations: Building limitations are described in ASCE/SEI 7-16, Section 30.4 (Low-rise building with certain roof configurations and h ≤ 60 ft.)

The full load is applied laterally to the wall member for strength design and 42% of this load is used for stiffness design (2018 IBC Table R1604.3, footnote f).

Three values of the design wind pressure, p are calculated and returned by the Wind Load Calculator:

1. Net suction (outward pressure) at wall corners: Zone 5 in Figure 30.3-1. Generally the highest magnitude net wind pressure of the three pressures that are calculated.

2. Net suction (outward pressure) at wall center: Zone 4 in Figure 30.3-1. This is the design wind pressure used by the software for individual wall member design.

3. Net pressure (inward): Zones 4 and 5 in Figure 30.3-1. Generally the lowest magnitude net wind pressure of the three pressures that are calculated.