Articles
Navigating the Output Like a Boss
There are many useful features within the output window that can save the designer time and energy. The more you create for your structure, the more information you will need to record. The output form will organize and display your measurements, allowing you to review and print it. Please check out our other videos to…
Wind on Rooftop Structures and Equipment
ASCE 7 has a method for calculating wind loads on rooftop structures and equipment for buildings, and this article will describe that method. Fortunately, the method is relatively straightforward, not too complicated, and is covered in ASCE 7-16 Section 29.4.1. What type of Rooftop Equipment? In section 29.4.1 of ASCE 7, it covers all rooftop structures and equipment EXCEPT solar…
Components and Cladding Example
This article provides a Components and Cladding (C&C) example calculation for a typical building structure. We will first perform the calculations manually, and then show how the same calculations can be performed much more easily using the MecaWind software. What is Components and Cladding? ASCE 7-16 defines Components and Cladding (C&C) as: “Elements of the building envelope or…
Fastest-Mile Wind Speed
Many times we have the difficult task of analyzing a structure that was designed long ago. In such cases, you may find that the wind speed used may appear significantly lower than the wind speed you would expect for that location using today’s standards. In these situations, it’s always important to understand the definition of…
Climbing the Ladder
MecaStack allows the user to enter ladders and platforms on their stack. These are considered appurtenances and do not add any structural stiffness to the stack. MecaStack does consider the wind area and weight added by these ladders and platforms, which can be significant on a stack. Ladder Weight and Wind Area: MecaStack considers the…
ASCE 7 Wind on Stacks and Similar
This article will explain how to calculate wind loads per ASCE 7 on stacks/chimneys and similar structures. ASCE 7-16, Chapter 29 covers “Other Structures”. This is a very broad section that covers a lot of different types of structures. Even if you don’t design stacks/chimneys, it is possible that other types of structures you design…
Troitsky Breach Analysis
This article covers the Troitsky Breach Analysis method. A breach is an opening in the cylindrical shell of the stack that compromises its structural integrity. This is usually either a rectangular ducting connection or a cylindrical pipe nozzle penetrating the stack shell. Previously we have written an article called “Life is a Breach” which outlined the method…
Wind Wizard
MecaWind has many features and options within the software, which can be both a blessing and a curse. It gives the user greater control over the results they obtain, but for the novice user it can be overwhelming to understand what is being requested with each option. This is the single biggest challenge facing new…