Assessment of Wind Load Factors for Hurricane-Prone Regions.
Assessment of Wind Load Factors for Hurricane-Prone
Regions.
(950 K)
Whalen, T. M.; Simiu, E.
Structural Safety, Vol. 20, 271-281, 1998.
Keywords:
wind engineering; wind velocity; weather effects;
building technology; codes; standards; structural
reliability
Abstract:
We study the issue of whether the wind load factors
specified in the ASCE 7-95 Standard for hurricane-prone
regions on the one hand and extratropical storm regions
on the other are mutually consistent with respect to
risk. We consider structures or elements whose design
is governed by wind loads and for which wind
directionality effects are not significant. We present
estimates according to which ASCE 7-95 Standard
provisions for wind loads inducing the design strength
results in (1) safety levels that are considerably lower
for hurricane-prone than for extratropical storm
regions, and (2) estimates of mean recurrence intervals
of hurricane wind loads inducing the design strength of
about 500 y if epistemic uncertainties are neglected,
and significantly lower than 500 years otherwise.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899