160-ft-Tall Office Building

A worked example illustrates the method for obtaining wind loads for an office building that is 160 ft tall using the wind load provisions of Standard ASCE/SEI 7-10, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures . The analytical procedure is used to determine design wind pressures for the main wind force-resisting system (MWFRS) of the building. Calculation of gust effect factor, external wall pressure coefficients, roof pressure coefficients, and internal pressure coefficients is demonstrated. Design pressures for the MWFRS, design wind load cases, and design pressures for components and cladding are explained. Two variations are also presented. One is a building located on an escarpment, and the other demonstrates the use of the simplified procedure for buildings less than 160 ft tall.