Design Wind Load Calculations on a Medium-Height Building from Udemy

In this course, I will explain the full and detailed process of calculating the wind pressure and base bending moment for a medium height building.

The Assessment of Wind Loads for the Design of Structures is based on Australia/New Zealand standard AS1170.2 however the general concept remains the same for every other code. AS1170 has a very detailed and comprehensive process for calculating wind pressures.

I often see people get confused with so many paraments and regulations of the code and so I have decided to prepare this course to provide a clear roadmap for anyone who wants to learn the process step by step.

My general approach in this course is to explain some basic and general concepts of wind load on structures and then I will explain how to calculate these wind parameters and where in the code I am getting these values from in a real-life example. These parameters include

- regional wind speed for different areas of the country,

-Terrain/height multiplier and explaining the definition of different train categories,

- defining Importance level of the building and return period of the wind considering the occupancy and use of the building

- wind direction multiplier,

- Hill-shape multiplier,

- Shielding multiplier

- Site wind speed

- Design wind speed

- Aerodynamic shape factor for different surfaces or parts of the building.

Calculating aerodynamic shape factor requires calculating the external and internal pressure coefficients, area reduction factor, local pressure factor and reduction factor due to parapet, action combination factor, and dynamic response factor for windward wall, Leeward wall, side walls, roof structure, and cladding surfaces of the walls and roof with respect to the two perpendicular directions of the wind.

- Net wind pressure for the two perpendicular directions of the wind.

- Base moment resulting from the wind pressures for the two perpendicular directions of the wind.

- Net wind pressure on claddings which includes wall and roof elements for the two perpendicular directions of the wind.

By the end of this course, you will learn about the fundamental and detailed process of calculating the wind pressure and base moment for structural members and claddings of a medium height building.

My goal is to add value to my students by conveying my professional/practical experience as well as explaining the theoretical concept behind the design, so please do not hesitate to ask if you ask any questions through the message box here or any other social media links which are provided in our page.

Also, you will have lifetime access to the course content which means you will receive all future updates and additions free of charge

What's inside

Learning objective

In this course, i will explain the full and detailed process of calculating the wind pressure on structural elements and cladding and base bending moment resulting from these wind pressure for a medium height office building with a real life example

Syllabus

Design Wind Load Calculations on a Medium-Height Building

Chapter 0 - Introduction

Chapter 1 - Basic Concept and Structure definition

Chapter 2 - Regional Wind Speed, Terrain Category and Wind Direction Multiplier

Chapter 3 - Topography, Terrain, Shielding Multipliers and Design Wind Speed

Chapter 4-1 - Aerodynamic shape factor- Cp factors

Chapter 4-2 - Aerodynamic shape factor- Ka, Kl, Kr, Kc and Cdyn factors

Chapter 5 - Building base moment due to wind pressures

Chapter 6 - Wind Pressure on Structural Element of Roof

Chapter 7-1 - Wind Pressure on Cladding - Wall Elements

Chapter 7-2 - Wind Pressure on Cladding - Roof Elements

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on AS1170.2, which is the Australian/New Zealand standard, but the general concepts are applicable to other codes, making it useful for engineers in other regions

Covers the calculation of aerodynamic shape factors, including external and internal pressure coefficients, which are essential for accurate wind load assessment

Explores the calculation of base moment resulting from wind pressures, which is crucial for structural design and stability analysis of medium-height buildings

Requires familiarity with structural engineering principles and building codes, which may necessitate prior coursework or professional experience in the field

Emphasizes a step-by-step approach to calculating wind parameters, which can be beneficial for those seeking a structured and methodical learning experience

Reviews summary

Design wind load calculations step-by-step

Learners say this course provides a clear, step-by-step process for calculating wind loads on medium-height buildings. Using the AS1170.2 standard as a reference, it offers a detailed roadmap for navigating complex code parameters like multipliers and shape factors. A significant benefit is the use of a practical, real-life building example which helps apply theoretical concepts effectively. The instructor shares valuable professional and practical experience throughout the lessons. While the focus is on a specific code (AS1170.2), the course emphasizes that the general concepts are broadly applicable to other standards. Learners also appreciate the lifetime access and future updates included with enrollment.

Based on AS1170.2; general concepts transfer.

"I noted the course is based specifically on the Australia/New Zealand standard AS1170.2."

"While it uses AS1170.2, the course mentions that the general concepts are applicable to other codes as well."

"Users of other international building codes may need to adapt the specifics, but the underlying principles are clear."

Offers lifetime access and free updates.

"I really appreciate having lifetime access to the course content so I can revisit it anytime."

"Knowing that all future updates and additions will be free of charge is a nice bonus."

"Having continuous access is great for reviewing concepts as needed for future projects."

Instructor shares professional insights.

"The instructor's professional and practical experience added significant value to the explanations."

"It felt like learning from an experienced engineer, which is very helpful for practical design work."

"The insights shared went beyond just reading the code and included practical considerations."

Covers many parameters from the standard.

"The course explains where in the code I can find and apply the necessary values for calculation."

"It covers all the crucial parameters like terrain categories, multipliers, and aerodynamic factors in detail."

"Understanding how to calculate parameters like site wind speed and shape factors is key, and this course covers it."

Provides a clear, detailed calculation process.

"I found the step-by-step breakdown of the complex calculation process very easy to follow."

"The course lays out a clear roadmap for anyone wanting to learn this process."

"It explains the full and detailed process for calculating wind pressure and base moment."

Uses a practical building example throughout.

"Learning with a real-life example makes applying the code concepts much more tangible and understandable."

"Working through calculations for an actual building scenario was incredibly useful for practical application."

"The examples showed me exactly how to use these principles in a real-world design situation."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Design Wind Load Calculations on a Medium-Height Building with these activities:

Review Structural Mechanics Fundamentals

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Reviewing structural mechanics concepts will help you better understand how wind loads affect buildings.

Browse courses on Structural Mechanics

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Review basic concepts of stress, strain, and bending moment.
Practice calculating reactions and internal forces in beams and frames.

Read 'Wind Loading of Structures' by Holmes

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Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of wind loading principles and their application to structural design.

View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Wind Loading of Structures' by Holmes.
Read the chapters relevant to wind pressure calculations.
Take notes on key concepts and formulas.

Practice Wind Load Calculations on Sample Buildings

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Practicing calculations on different building geometries will solidify your understanding of the AS1170.2 standard.

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Find or create sample building plans with varying heights and shapes.
Calculate wind pressures for different surfaces using AS1170.2.
Compare your results with solutions or consult with peers.

Four other activities

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Study 'Structural Engineering Handbook' by Chen and Duan

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Studying this handbook will provide a broader context for wind load calculations within structural engineering.

View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Structural Engineering Handbook' by Chen and Duan.
Review the sections on wind load analysis and design.
Relate the handbook's content to the course material.

Develop a Wind Load Calculation Spreadsheet

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Creating a spreadsheet will help automate the wind load calculation process and reduce errors.

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Design a spreadsheet with input fields for all relevant parameters from AS1170.2.
Implement formulas to calculate wind pressures for different surfaces.
Test the spreadsheet with various building configurations.

Contribute to an Open-Source Structural Analysis Tool

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Contributing to open-source projects will provide practical experience and exposure to real-world engineering challenges.

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Find an open-source structural analysis tool that includes wind load analysis capabilities.
Identify a bug or feature related to wind load calculations.
Contribute a fix or enhancement to the project.

Design a Wind-Resistant Structure

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Designing a structure to withstand wind loads will test your understanding of the course material and your ability to apply it in a practical setting.

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Choose a building type and location with significant wind exposure.
Calculate wind loads according to AS1170.2 or relevant code.
Design the structural system to resist the calculated wind loads.
Document your design process and calculations.

Career center

Learners who complete Design Wind Load Calculations on a Medium-Height Building will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Structural Engineer

A structural engineer analyzes, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings and other structures, ensuring their safety and stability. This course helps structural engineers refine their skills in calculating wind loads, a critical aspect of structural design. The course provides a step by step guide for calculating wind parameters, including regional wind speed, terrain/height multiplier, and importance level of the building. By understanding how to accurately assess wind pressures and base moments, a structural engineer can contribute to safer and more resilient designs, especially for medium-height buildings. The course's detailed approach to aerodynamic shape factors and pressure coefficients further equips engineers with the knowledge to address complex wind loading scenarios. Students of structural engineering may find this targeted approach particularly helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Structural Engineer

Civil Engineer

Civil engineers are responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure projects, including buildings. Crucial to any building is accounting for environmental factors, such as wind loads. This course provides a concentrated study on calculating wind pressure and base bending moment for a medium-height building; this skill is directly applicable to ensuring structural integrity. The course's explanation of parameters like terrain categories, importance level, and topographic multipliers enhances a civil engineer's ability to accurately model wind effects on structures. Given the detailed coverage of aerodynamic shape factors and pressure coefficients, this course offers a targeted enhancement to the expertise of a civil engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Wind Energy Engineer

Wind energy engineers design and develop wind energy projects, which include assessing wind resources and analyzing wind loads on structures. While this course focuses on wind loads on buildings, the detailed methodologies for calculating wind parameters are directly transferable to wind turbine design. The course covers regional wind speed, terrain categories, and topographic multipliers, these give a wind energy engineer a basis for how wind interacts with structures. Furthermore, the course's in-depth exploration of aerodynamic shape factors and pressure coefficients provides valuable insights into wind behavior. This targeted focus on wind load calculations makes the course particularly relevant for someone working as a wind energy engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wind Energy Engineer

Architectural Engineer

Architectural engineers integrate architectural design with engineering principles to create efficient and safe buildings. This course provides them with specific knowledge on calculating wind loads and their impact on medium-height buildings. The course explains parameters like wind direction multiplier, hill-shape multiplier, and shielding multiplier, which ultimately helps architectural engineers make informed decisions about structural design and building orientation. Also, the coverage of aerodynamic shape factors and pressure coefficients enhances their understanding of how wind interacts with building surfaces. For an architectural engineer, this course is a resource to ensure their designs withstand wind forces.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Engineer

Construction Manager

A construction manager oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of construction projects, and ensures that projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget. This course arms construction managers with the knowledge to better understand the engineering aspects of wind load calculations, which is beneficial for quality control and risk assessment. The course details how to calculate wind pressure and base moment, informing the construction manager on parameters like importance level and return period of the wind. By completing this course, a construction manager is better equipped to communicate effectively with engineers, identify potential issues related to wind loads, and make informed decisions to ensure project success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Building Inspector

Building inspectors examine structures to ensure compliance with building codes and regulations, including those related to wind load requirements. This course will boost understanding of the detailed calculations behind wind pressure assessments, enabling more thorough and informed inspections. The course's coverage of topics like aerodynamic shape factors, pressure coefficients, and topographic multipliers provides a valuable foundation for assessing structural integrity. This course may empower a building inspector to verify that designs adhere to the required standards, ensuring the safety and durability of buildings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Building Inspector

CAD Technician

Computer aided design technicians use software to create technical drawings and plans for engineering and construction projects. This course provides context for the calculations that underlie these drawings, specifically concerning wind loads on medium-height buildings. The course offers applicable lessons on how to calculate wind parameters and explains importance level of the building and return period of the wind. A CAD technician may benefit by gaining a better understanding of the structural elements they are modeling, also improving the accuracy and detail of their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for CAD Technician

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability consultants advise organizations on how to minimize their environmental impact and promote sustainable practices. This includes considering the structural resilience of buildings against extreme weather events, such as high winds. This course covers wind pressure and base moment for medium height buildings. It helps sustainability consultants understand the engineering principles behind wind load calculations. Also, the course may assist in evaluating the long-term durability and environmental footprint of buildings, and in recommending strategies for more sustainable and resilient designs.

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Urban Planner

Urban planners develop plans and programs for the use of land, including the placement and design of buildings. While this course focuses on the engineering design of wind loads on a medium height building, a general understanding of this topic is beneficial in the planning and design of buildings and other structures. This course may aid in the development of safer and more resilient urban environments, particularly in areas prone to high winds.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Cost Estimator

Cost estimators calculate the costs associated with construction projects, including materials, labor, and equipment. A factor in these estimations is the need for materials able to withstand environmental factors, such as wind. This course may give a cost estimator additional understanding of the importance of wind load considerations and the selection of appropriate materials for structural integrity. The course's explanation of parameters like terrain categories may offer insights into the cost implications of building in different environments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cost Estimator

Facilities Manager

Facilities managers are responsible for the maintenance and operation of buildings, ensuring they are safe and functional. This course may prove valuable in understanding the structural aspects of building maintenance, particularly concerning wind load resistance. The course's comprehensive coverage of wind parameters and pressure coefficients could aid in identifying potential vulnerabilities. For a facilities manager, this knowledge may help with proactive maintenance and risk management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Facilities Manager

Insurance Underwriter

Insurance underwriters assess the risk associated with insuring properties, including the potential for damage from natural disasters like windstorms. This course may help an insurance underwriter better evaluate the structural integrity of buildings and the likelihood of wind-related damage. The course's breakdown of wind load calculations and aerodynamic shape factors may aid in determining appropriate insurance premiums and coverage terms. This course can assist an insurance underwriter.

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Real Estate Developer

Real estate developers oversee the planning, financing, and construction of new properties. This course may provide valuable insights into the engineering aspects of building design. The course's coverage of wind load calculations and aerodynamic shape factors may aid real estate developers in making informed decisions about building design. Also, this course is a point of reference for building design.

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Technical Writer

Technical writers create documentation to explain complex technical topics, such as engineering design and construction processes. This course may give technical writers exposure to the terminology, calculations, and concepts related to wind load design, improving their ability to create clear and accurate documentation for engineers, architects, and construction professionals. The course covers aerodynamic shape factors and pressure coefficients for example.

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Data Analyst

Data analysts examine large datasets to identify trends and patterns that can inform decision-making. While this course focuses on wind load calculations, a data analyst might apply statistical methods to analyze historical wind data and predict future wind loads on structures in specific geographic areas. This may require an advanced degree such as a master's degree. The course may provide foundational knowledge of wind parameters.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Design Wind Load Calculations on a Medium-Height Building.

Alter Ego

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Provides a comprehensive overview of wind loading on structures, covering both theoretical concepts and practical applications. It delves into the complexities of wind behavior and its interaction with various building types. This book valuable resource for understanding the underlying principles behind wind load calculations and provides additional depth to the course material. It is commonly used by structural engineers.

Alter Ego: A Novel

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Design Wind Load Calculations on a Medium-Height Building

What's inside

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Reviews summary

Design wind load calculations step-by-step

Activities

Career center

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