Wind Load Calculator

Calculate wind pressures and forces on buildings per ASCE 7: velocity pressure, windward/leeward pressures, and base shear.

Basic Wind Speed

m/s

ASCE 7-22: Risk Cat II inland 40–50 m/s; Gulf Coast 55–65 m/s; SE Florida 70–80 m/s

Exposure Category

(1=B, 2=C, 3=D)

ASCE 7 §26.7: B=urban/suburban; C=open terrain (default); D=flat coastal/water >5000 ft fetch

Building Height

Building Width (windward face)

Building Length (parallel to wind)

Enclosure Classification

(1=enclosed, 2=partially)

Tab to move between fields

Velocity Pressure (qz)

909.04 Pa

Total Wind Force

304,755.63 N

Windward Pressure454.52 Pa

Leeward Pressure-222.71 Pa

Base Shear304,755.63 N

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the basic wind speed V for your location from ASCE 7 wind maps in mph.
Set the exposure category (B for suburban, C for open terrain, D for coastal) and building height.
Input the building dimensions and the roof slope.
Review the Design Wind Pressure for walls and roof in psf using ASCE 7 Chapter 27 or 28 provisions.
Apply the calculated pressures to the lateral force-resisting system and cladding connections.

How the result changes with Basic Wind Speed

Basic Wind Speed: 3-second gust wind speed at 10 m height in open terrain per ASCE 7-22 Figure 26.5-1A/B/C. Risk Category II: most US inland 40–50 m/s; Gulf Coast 55–65 m/s; Miami/Keys 70–80 m/s.
Exposure Category: Surface roughness per ASCE 7 §26.7. 1=B (urban, suburban, wooded areas, structures ≥30 ft); 2=C (open terrain, scattered obstructions <30 ft, most flat areas); 3=D (flat/unobstructed, coastal areas, salt flats).
Building Height: Mean roof height of the building above ground level.
Building Width (windward face): Width of the building face perpendicular to the wind direction.
Building Length (parallel to wind): Length of the building parallel to the wind direction.
Enclosure Classification: 1 = Enclosed building (GCpi = ±0.18), 2 = Partially enclosed (GCpi = ±0.55).

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Basic Wind Speed = 40, Exposure Category = 2, Building Height = 15, Building Width (windward face) = 30 = 6 input(s) provided
Calculate Velocity Pressure
Velocity Pressure
909.04 = 909.04
Calculate Total Wind Force
Total Wind Force
304755.63 = 304755.63
Calculate Windward Pressure
Windward Pressure
454.52 = 454.52
Calculate Leeward Pressure
Leeward Pressure
-222.71 = -222.71