The Florida Building Code (FBC) has released the 2023 8th Edition, and the most significant change is that it now references ASCE 7-22 rather than ASCE 7-16. We have already summarized the major changes made in ASCE 7-22 in this article link. There were some minor...
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ASCE 7-22 Wind Load Changes
There are several changes included in the ASCE 7-22 'Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures' related to wind load calculations. This article will attempt to summarize the major changes to the wind load calculations.Chapter 26:...
Wind Loads on Tanks
In the ASCE 7-16 publication, new sections were added to address wind loads on tanks, bins, and silos. All three of these structures (tanks, bins, and silos) are handled exactly the same, since all of these structures are basically the same structure but with...
Wind Loads at Elevations
In designing structures we typically want to calculate wind loads at elevations that are important for the structure. Some tall buildings have each floor being the same height and other structures such as the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona which is completely...
Wind Loads on Freestanding Walls
This article addresses the method used to calculate wind loads on a freestanding wall. This calculation follows the same method as that used for solid signs, which we have covered in a previous article. The calculation of wind loads on freestanding walls is most...
Wind Loads on Solid Signs
While in a dream driving down the highway, I saw the image shown above and I thought to myself that this must be a sign. I was correct, it was a sign. A sign that we need to write an article explaining how to calculate wind loads on solid signs. Although this...
2020 Florida Building Code 7th Edition
It was Benjamain Franklin that said "..in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes and code changes". Ok, maybe I added that part about code changes, but it is true. Just about the time you think you understand the code and how to apply...
Wind Load on a Canopy
ASCE 7-16 added a new option to address wind loads on a canopy attached to a building with a h <= 60 ft [18.3 m]. This new criteria for canopies is addressed in ASCE 7-16 Section 30.11, and since it is in Section 30, the canopy is classified as Components and...
Wind Load on Parapets
ASCE 7 has multiple methods for calculating wind loads on a Parapet. In the context of a building design, a parapet is a low protective wall along the edge of a roof. It could be used to hide equipment on the roof and it can also serve as a barrier to provide some...