Wind Load Calculator
Free wind pressure calculator for other structures and building appurtenances per ASCE 7-22 Chapter 29. Compute design wind force on signs, freestanding walls, rooftop equipment, and similar non-building structures using the directional procedure with simplified force coefficients.
Features
- ASCE 7-22 §29 directional procedure for other structures
- Velocity pressure exposure coefficient Kz per Table 26.10-1
- Topographic factor Kzt and ground elevation factor Ke
- Force coefficient Cf by structure geometry (solid signs, freestanding walls, chimneys, tanks, rooftop equipment)
- Risk Category I–IV and associated basic wind speed V
- Exposure categories B, C, and D
- Gust effect factor G = 0.85 (rigid structures per §26.11)
Scope
This calculator implements ASCE 7-22 Chapter 29 only — wind loads on other structures and building appurtenances. It does not compute Main Wind-Force Resisting System (MWFRS) pressures (Chapters 27/28) or Components and Cladding (C&C) pressures (Chapter 30) for enclosed buildings. Use a separate procedure for those load paths.
Design Standards
- ASCE/SEI 7-22 Chapter 29 (Wind Loads on Other Structures and Building Appurtenances — MWFRS)
- ASCE/SEI 7-22 §26.10 (Velocity Pressure Exposure Coefficients)
- ASCE/SEI 7-22 §26.11 (Gust Effects)
Wind Load Basics (ASCE 7-22)
Wind design starts from the velocity pressure q, then multiplies by pressure coefficients to get the design pressure on each surface. The calculator above runs the full ASCE 7-22 procedure; the reference below explains the inputs.
Velocity pressure
qz = 0.00256 · Kz · Kzt · Kd · Ke · V² (q in psf, V in mph)
- V — basic wind speed (mph), read from the ASCE 7-22 maps for your site by Risk Category (I–IV). Hurricane-prone coastal regions and higher risk categories give higher V.
- Kz — velocity-pressure exposure coefficient; increases with height above grade and with more open surroundings.
- Kzt — topographic factor (1.0 on flat ground; >1.0 on hills, ridges, escarpments).
- Kd — wind directionality factor (0.85 for typical buildings).
- Ke — ground elevation factor (≈ 1.0 near sea level; slightly <1 at high elevation).
Exposure category
- B — urban, suburban, or wooded terrain (most sheltered → lower pressure).
- C — open terrain with scattered obstructions (the common default).
- D — flat, unobstructed areas and water surfaces (highest pressure).
Design pressure
For the main wind-force-resisting system and components & cladding of an enclosed building:
p = q·(GCp) − qi·(GCpi)
- G — gust-effect factor (0.85 for rigid buildings).
- Cp — external pressure coefficient (windward, leeward, side walls, roof — from ASCE 7 figures).
- GCpi — internal pressure coefficient (±0.18 for enclosed buildings, ±0.55 partially enclosed).
Enter your wind speed, exposure, building geometry, and enclosure classification in the calculator above to get the velocity pressure and design pressures on every surface per ASCE 7-22.
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