Basic Wind Speed Values

[TKIL10]

I am working on a job in Panama and I am having a hard time finding the basic wind speed for the area. They are using ASCE-7 as there code, but it does not provide values outside the USA. Does anyone know where I could find the basic wind speed for Panama.

 

[DaveVikingPE]

There should be a Corps of Engineers manual that will/may have the wind speeds for Panama. Try

http://www.usace.army.mil/publications/.

 

[Taro]

UFC 3-310-01 lists 95 mph for "Canal Zone".

 

[UcfSE]

Make sure you clarify whether any number you find is fastest mile or 3-second gust.

 

[nutte]

A google search for "panama wind speed asce 7" turns up this document, which says the basic wind speed (3-second gust) is 115 km/h for the Pacific side and 140 km/h for the Caribbean side. These correspond to 71 and 87 miles per hour, which seem quite low to me. Is there a local agency (permitting department, something like that) you can contact for information?

http://www.acs-aec.org/Documents/Disasters/Projects/ACS_ND_001/PANAMwce.pdf