Facade wind loads - trapezoidal 1

[gmanos]

Dear all,
Has anyone used a trapezoidal wind load for a 6 m (20ft) facade in height? e.g. by calculating the wind load at 6 m and at the ground, and taking the trapezoidal load distribution... Is it allowed?

 

[Lomarandil]

It is allowed in every wind code I've seen. Note that some wind codes have either a minimum magnitude design wind pressure or a minimum average wind pressure.

ASCE 7 even 'encourages' it by requiring the resultant force vector to be located at 55% of the height for certain structures (signs and freestanding walls)

 

[gmanos]

Thank you for the reply.
Any experience with eurocode?

 

[Lomarandil]

Only have used EC here and there, not enough to speak confidently about it.