Maximum Wind Load in Europe

[ThomasH]

Hello everybody

I will soon start with a project that gives me reason the ask the following:

What is the highest windload that can be found in the EU?

The structure is an exhibition monter that will be moved all over Europe (within EU). So it has to be designed for the highest wind loads applicable. That is at least the requirement we start with. It things become unreasonable than the requirements may be have to be modified.

So far I have a wind speed of 30 m/s as the highest (Germany). I have found higher values high up in northern Europe above the arctic circle but they are probably not relevant for the project. Continental Europe is of more interrest.

Does anybody know if there are higher windspeeds anywhere else?

Thank you

Thomas

 

[JStephen]

Two observations from the US.
One, the wind speeds in mountainous areas are not mapped, and may vary on a very local scale. I would assume similar issues on mountainous areas in Europe.
Two, the wind loading in the US hasn't varied that much through the years, but the wind speeds used to generate those loads have varied dramatically based on the code used. So the maximum wind speed is only pertinent if the exact same code is being used everywhere.

 

[Guest262653]

You can find a compilation of basic wind speeds according to EN1991-1-4 in some central european countries in one of the SCIA Engineer's software manuals. The wind manual is available from the following link:
[URL unfurl="true"]https://help.scia.net/download/16.0/en/Theory_NA_EN_1991_enu.pdf[/url]

 

[klaus.]

this is not so easy to answer ... you need to study the Eurocode
wind speed alone is not the only parameter

but if you have a temporary structure it is possible to reduce the wind loads ==> see Eurocode

 

[ThomasH]

JStephen

I agree with your statments.

But if we use Eurocode as a baseline that usually means a 10 minute averaged windspeed. So my guess is that the values should vary between 23 m/s and up to possibly 35 m/s. If the value becomes much higher I would suspect that it is 3 seconds averaged. I can convert that with a reasonable accuracy if needed.

This is one approach, to simply ask in the forum. Another would be the check the capacity for the structure and clearly document what the capacity is, in terms of windspeed.

My initial feeling is that 30 m/s will be enough for most of the interesting locations. But I don't know if the structure can handle the load yet.

Thank you

Thomas

 

[klaus.]

which design code do you use ?
What material ? steel ? wood ?

As I said before ...wind speed is only one parameter.......
I guess with 30 m/s you will cover most of the regions....but not sure if this is economical design

 

[ThomasH]

klaus

You are correct that wind speed is not the only parameter. But I would say it is the main parameter in the National Annex if there is no concern for dynamic effects.

When you say that the windload can be reduced, I assume that you are referring to factor c_season? I could use that if I knew when the structure will be used at a certain time but I don't have that information.

avscorreia

Thanks for the link. That was very helpful. I can see that for higher altitudes the windspeeds can be significantly higher that 30 m/s but I don't think it is relevant for this project.

Anyway, thank you. That was a useful document.

Thank you all. Now I have a good starting point.

Thomas

 

[ThomasH]

klaus

Thanks for your interest.

The design code is Eurocode and the material is steel. It is a one storey structure that can be moved around Europe and temporarily set up "anywhere".

Thomas

 

[klaus.]

Well if it is a 'building' structure you need approval for the design in each country....
So you need to follow strictly eurocode...in all parts

 

[ThomasH]

klaus

It is a "building" structure but fairly simple. Basically four columns and a steel roof.

My part is the steel frame and I my "normal" code is the Eurocode. I have worked with wind loads in several countries and different projects, so how to handle the wind load is not the issue. But I needed to know what a reasonably conservative wind load will be. And that usually starts with the reference wind speed.

Thanks

Thomas