What it checks
The module designs Main Wind Force Resisting Systems (MWFRS) using the ASCE 7-22 Chapter 27 directional procedure for all heights. It calculates story pressures and base shear based on wind speed, exposure category, and building enclosure conditions. The design method follows the strength-based approach implied by the directional procedure, utilizing specific coefficients for velocity pressure and surface pressures. The sequence of checks begins with determining the low-rise definition, then computes velocity pressure profiles, and finally applies pressure coefficients to walls and roofs to derive net base shear.Inputs
- Wind - Basic wind speed (mph), exposure category (A, B, C, or D).
- Geometry - Mean roof height (ft), building width (ft), building length (ft), roof slope angle (deg).
- Site - Ground elevation (ft), number of stories.
- Enclosure - Enclosure type (enclosed or partially enclosed).
- Orientation - Wind direction angle (deg).
What it reports
- Velocity Pressure - qz values at various heights, calculated per Eq. 26.10-1.
- Exposure Coefficient - Kz values citing Table 26.10-1, floored at 15 ft and capped at zg.
- Internal Pressure - GCpi values citing Table 26.13-1 for the selected enclosure type.
- Wall Pressures - Windward and leeward wall pressures citing Figure 27.3-1.
- Roof Pressures - Windward and leeward roof pressures citing Figure 27.3-1, including both load cases for gable roofs.
- Base Shear - Net base shear (kips), reported as external-only per owner ruling.
- Story Forces - Distributed story forces for the specified number of stories.
- Low-Rise Status - Verdict on whether the building meets the Section 26.2 low-rise definition.
Code references
The engine cites ASCE 7-22 Chapter 27 for the directional procedure, Eq. 26.10-1 for velocity pressure, and Figure 27.3-1 for surface pressure coefficients. It also references Table 26.10-1 for Kz, Table 26.13-1 for GCpi, Table 26.11-1 for exposure constants, and Table 26.9-1 for the ground elevation factor Ke. The low-rise gate follows ASCE 7-22 Section 26.2.Limits
The module refuses to produce pressures for buildings that do not meet the Section 26.2 low-rise definition when using the Envelope Procedure. It does not cover the solid freestanding sign checks found in Section 29.3. The Kz coefficient is capped at the value for zg, meaning the power law does not continue above that height. Results are engineering aids; the engineer of record is responsible for the design.Try it free in your browser
The Wind MWFRS calculator runs this module's engine with no install and no signup.