Environmental Load
Wind Load Calculator
Prepare wind pressure for wall girts, roof beams, canopy members, and cladding support rails by combining velocity pressure with external and internal pressure coefficients.
Wind Load Inputs
A wall member starter with positive external pressure and a modest internal pressure allowance.
Wind Load Summary
Coefficient summary
| qz x G | 0.80 x 1.00 |
| Cpe - Cpi | 0.80 - -0.20 |
| Total member wind load | 7.20 kN |
Calculation Basis
Assumptions & Limits
- Velocity pressure and pressure coefficients remain project assumptions and do not replace wind-zone analysis.
- The page prepares load inputs but does not apply full design combinations or code partial factors automatically.
- Changing tributary width, local peaks, or an uncertain load path require a more detailed model.
Reference Basis
Reference Wind Setups
| Best use | Wind pressure preparation for roof, wall, canopy, and cladding-support members |
| Primary output | Net pressure, absolute design pressure, line load, and support reaction estimate |
| Typical handoff | Beam solver, roof/wall member checks, load combinations |
| Model scope | Pressure-to-line-load conversion; wind zoning and velocity-pressure derivation are project inputs |
Engineering Notes
- Use pressure coefficients and velocity pressure from the governing project standard and the correct roof or wall zone.
- The signed net pressure indicates pressure direction. The member line load uses the absolute value for a conservative magnitude handoff.
- Corner zones, edge zones, canopies, parapets, and openings can change wind coefficients sharply and should not be averaged without review.
Calculation Method
- Net wind pressure: p = q_z G (C_pe - C_pi). External and internal pressure coefficients are combined with velocity pressure and gust factor.
- Design pressure magnitude: p_abs = |p|. The absolute value is used for line-load magnitude while the signed pressure still shows direction.
- Line load: w = p_abs x b_tr. Tributary width converts surface pressure into the member line load.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does this calculate wind speed or exposure category? No. Enter the velocity pressure and coefficients from the selected code basis. This page focuses on transparent pressure-to-member-load conversion.
- Why can net pressure be negative? A negative value usually represents suction or uplift relative to the selected positive direction. The line load reports the absolute magnitude for member checks.
- Can I use this for cladding support rails? Yes, if the tributary width matches the spacing or supported panel width and the pressure coefficients match the correct zone.
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