9

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U-Shaped Apartment
Building

This example demonstrates calculation of wind loads for a U-shaped apartment

building (Figure G9-1). Data for the building are provided in Table G9-1.

9.1 Directional Procedure

The building is nonsymmetrical; therefore, the directional procedure of Chapter
27, Part 1, of ASCE 7-16 is used for MWFRS. The building is less than 60 ft tall,
so it is allowed to use envelope low-rise provisions of Section 28.2 of ASCE 7-16.
However, because U-, T-, and L-shaped buildings are not specifically covered,
the adaptation of the low-rise pseudopressure coefficients to buildings is outside
the scope of the research and is not recommended. Therefore, use Part 1 of the
directional procedure of Section 27.2 of ASCE 7-16.

For components and cladding, provisions for a low-rise building (h < 60 ft) of
Chapter 30, Part 1, are appropriate to use.

Building Classification: The building function is residential. It is not consid-

ered an essential facility, nor is it likely to be occupied by 300 people in a
single area at one time. Therefore, it is appropriate to classify the building
as Risk Category II (Table 1.5-1 of ASCE 7-16). The wind speed map of
Figure 26.5-1B of ASCE 7-16 should be used.

Basic Wind Speed: Selection of the basic wind speed is addressed in

Section 26.5 of ASCE 7-16. The wind speed for Birmingham, Alabama, is found
by using the ASCE 7 Hazard Tool; the basic wind speed V = 109 mph

103

Wind Loads
 104 Wind Loads
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Figure G9-1. Building characteristics for a U-shaped apartment

building.

Table G9-1. Data for a U-Shaped Apartment Building

Location Birmingham, Alabama

Topography Homogeneous
Terrain Suburban
Dimensions 170 ft × 240 ft overall in plan
Roof eave height of 30 ft
Hip roof with 5-on-12 pitch
Framing Typical timber construction
Wall studs are spaced at 16 in. on center, 10 ft tall
Roof trusses are spaced at 24 in. on center, spanning 70 ft
between exterior bearing walls
Floor slab and roof sheathing provide diaphragm action
Cladding Location is outside a wind-borne debris region, so no glazing
protection is required; window units are 3 ft × 4 ft

(Figure 26.5-1B of ASCE 7-16). Figure G9-2 is a screen capture of the ASCE 7
Hazard Tool result for wind speed in Birmingham, Alabama.

Exposure Category: The building is located in a suburban area; according to

Section 26.7 of ASCE 7-16, Exposure B is used.

Enclosure: The building is designed to be enclosed. It is not located within

a wind-borne debris region, so glazing protection is not required. The building

Wind Loads
 U-Shaped Apartment Building 105
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Figure G9-2. ASCE 7 Hazard Tool used for Birmingham, Alabama.

is considered an enclosed building according to the ASCE 7 provisions

(Section 26.12).

Velocity Pressures: The velocity pressures for MWFRS and C&C are computed
using the following equation:

qz = 0.00256K z K zt K d K e V 2 psf (26.10-1)

where
Kz = Value obtained from Table 26.10-1 of ASCE 7-16 for both MWFRS and
ASCE 7-16 C&C,
Kzt = 1.0 for homogeneous topography,
Kd = 0.85 for buildings (Table 26.6-1 of ASCE 7-16),
Ke = 1.0 for locations less than 1,000 ft in elevation (Section 26.9 of ASCE 7-16),
V = 109 mph, and
qz = 0.00256Kz(1.0)(0.85)(1.0)(109)2 = 25.8Kz psf.

Values for Kz and the resulting velocity pressures are given in Table G9-2. The
mean roof height is the average of the eave and the peak

h = 30 + ð14.6= 2Þ = 37.3 ft

At the mean roof height, h = 37.3 ft; the velocity pressure is qh = 19.4 psf.

Gust Effect Factor: Under the definition of Section 26.2 of ASCE 7-16,
this building can be identified as a low-rise building. In accordance with
Section 26.11 of ASCE 7-16, a low-rise building can be considered as rigid;
hence, the gust effect factor can be taken as 0.85.

Wind Loads
 106 Wind Loads

Table G9-2. Velocity Pressures

MWFRS and C&C

Height (ft) Kz qz (psf)

0 to 15 0.57 14.7
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20 0.62 16.0
30 0.70 18.1
Mean roof h = 37.3 0.75 19.4

External Pressure Coefficients (Cp) for MWFRS: The values for the
external pressure coefficients for the various surfaces (Table G9-3 through
Table G9-6) are obtained from Figure 27.3-1 of ASCE 7-16 for each of the
surfaces in Figure G9-3. The determination of certain pressure coefficients is
based on aspect ratios. Although this U-shaped building will be broken into
pieces for the application of pressures, the overall dimensions have greater
influence on the MWFRS pressure coefficients than the dimensions of the
individual pieces. Therefore, the overall dimensions L and B are used.

When the wind is normal to Wall W2, the wind blows over the A wing, crosses the
courtyard in the middle of the U, and strikes the C wing. Although some
reduction in the pressures on the C wing may occur because of the shielding
offered by A, it is impossible to predict without a wind tunnel study. Therefore,
the pressures on the C wing are taken as the same as on the A wing. There would
also be reductions in pressures on the C wing if the A wing was taller, but again

Table G9-3. External Pressure Coefficients for Wind Normal to

Wall W2

L/B
Surface type Surface designation Surface Case or h/L Cp

Walls W2, W6 Windward — All +0.80

W4, W8 Leeward — 1.41 −0.42
W1, W3, W5, W7 Side — All −0.70
Roofs (⊥ to ridge) A1, C2 Windward Negative 0.16 −0.25
Positive 0.16 +0.25
A2, C1 Leeward — 0.16 −0.60
Roofs (∥ to ridge) A3, C3 Side 0 to h 0.16 −0.90*
h to 2h 0.16 −0.5*
B1, B2 Side 0 to h 0.16 −0.90*
h to 2h 0.16 −0.50*
> 2h 0.16 −0.30*

* The values of smaller uplift pressures (Cp = −0.18) on the roof can become critical when wind
load is combined with roof live load or snow load; load combinations are given in Sections 2.3
and 2.4 of ASCE 7-16. For brevity, loading for this value is not shown here.

Wind Loads
 U-Shaped Apartment Building 107

Table G9-4. External Pressure Coefficients for Wind Normal to

Wall W4

L/B
Surface type Surface designation Surface Case or h/L Cp

Walls W4, W8 Windward — All +0.80

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W6, W2 Leeward — 1.41 −0.42

W1, W3, W5, W7 Side — All −0.70
Roofs (⊥ to ridge) C1, A2 Windward Negative 0.16 −0.25
Positive 0.16 +0.25
C2, A1 Leeward — 0.16 −0.60
Roofs (∥ to ridge) A3, C3 Side 0 to h 0.16 −0.90
h to 2h 0.16 −0.50
B1, B2 Side 0 to h 0.16 −0.90
h to 2h 0.16 −0.50
> 2h 0.16 −0.30

Table G9-5. External Pressure Coefficients for Wind Normal to

Wall W3

L/B
Surface type Surface designation Surface Case or h/L Cp

Walls W3 Windward — All +0.80

W1, W7, W5 Leeward — 0.71 −0.50
W2, W4, W6, W8 Side — All −0.70
Roofs (⊥ to ridge) B1 Windward Negative 0.22 −0.25
Positive 0.22 +0.25
A3, B2, C3 Leeward — 0.22 −0.60
Roofs (∥ to ridge) A1, A2, C1, C2 Side 0 to h 0.22 −0.90
h to 2h 0.22 −0.50
> 2h 0.22 −0.30

the amount of the reduction is not possible to predict without a wind tunnel
study. If the wind impacts the A wing at an angle such that the wind would
blow directly into the courtyard, then the C wing could still be affected by the
full force of the wind; therefore, for this example, the judgment has been made
that when the wind is normal to Wall W2, Wall W6 is also a windward wall
(and likewise if the wind is normal to Wall W4, Wall W8 is also treated as a
windward wall).

For wind normal to Surface W2 or W4:

L/B = 240/170 = 1.41
h/L = 37.3/240 = 0.16
θ = 22.6° for a 5-on-12 slope

Wind Loads
 108 Wind Loads

Table G9-6. External Pressure Coefficients for Wind Normal to

Wall W1–W7–W5

L/B
Surface type Surface designation Surface Case or h/L Cp

Walls W1, W7, W5 Windward — All +0.80

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W3 Leeward — 0.71 −0.50

W2, W4, W6, W8 Side — All −0.70
Roofs (⊥ to ridge) A3, B2, C3 Windward Negative 0.22 −0.25
Positive 0.22 +0.25
B1 Leeward — 0.22 −0.60
Roofs (∥ to ridge) A1, A2, C1, C2 Side 0 to h 0.22 −0.90
h to 2h 0.22 −0.50
> 2h 0.22 −0.30

Figure G9-3. Surface designations for a U-shaped apartment

building.

For wind normal to Surface W3 or W1-W7-W5:

L/B = 170/240 = 0.71
h/L = 37.3/170 = 0.22
θ = 22.6° for a 5-on-12 slope

The windward wall Cp is always 0.8, the Cp values of side walls are −0.7, and the
leeward wall Cp varies with the aspect ratio L/B.

The roof Cp for wind normal to a ridge varies with roof angle and aspect ratio,
h/L. The ratio is h/L ≤ 0.25 for all wind directions. The roof angle θ is always
22.6°, so interpolate between 20° and 25°. The Cp for wind parallel to a ridge
varies with h/L and with the distance from the leading edge of the roof.

Wind Loads
 U-Shaped Apartment Building 109

Design Wind Pressures for MWFRS

The design pressures for this building are obtained by

p = qGC p − qi ðGC pi Þ (27.3-1)

where
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q = qz for windward wall at height z aboveground,

q = qh = 19.4 psf for leeward wall, side walls, and roof,
qi = qh = 19.4 psf for all surfaces because the building is enclosed,
G = 0.85, the gust effect factor for rigid buildings and structures,
Cp = External pressure coefficient for each surface as shown in Table G9-7
through Table G9-10, and
(GCpi) = ±0.18, the internal pressure coefficient for enclosed buildings.

For Windward Walls:

p = qzGCp− qh(GCpi) = qz(0.85)Cp − 19.4(±0.18) = 0.85qzCp ± 3.5

For All Other Surfaces:

p = qhGCp− qh(GCpi) = 19.4(0.85)Cp − 19.4(±0.18) = 16.5Cp ± 3.5

Design Wind Load Cases

Section 27.3.5 of ASCE 7-16 requires that any building whose wind loads have
been determined under the provisions of Chapter 27 shall be designed for wind

Table G9-7. External Pressures for Wind Normal to Wall W2

Design pressures
External (psf)
Surface q pressure
Surface type designation z or x (ft) (psf) Cp (psf) (+GCpi ) (−GCpi )

Walls W2, W6 0 to 15 14.7 +0.80 +10.0 +6.5 +13.5

20 16.0 +0.80 +10.9 +7.4 +14.4
30 18.1 +0.80 +12.3 +8.8 +15.8
W4, W8 0 to 30 19.4 −0.42 −6.9 −10.4 −3.4
W1, W3, 0 to 30 19.4 −0.70 −11.5 −15.0 −8.0
W5, W7
Roofs A1, C2 — 19.4 −0.25 −4.1 −7.6 −0.6
(⊥ to ridge) 19.4 +0.25 +4.1 +0.6 +7.6
A2, C1 — 19.4 −0.60 −9.9 −13.4 −6.4
Roofs A3, C3 0 to 37.3 19.4 −0.90 −14.8 −18.3 −11.3
(∥ to ridge) 37.3 to 70 19.4 −0.50 −8.2 −11.7 −4.7
B1 & B2 0 to 37.3 19.4 −0.90 −14.8 −18.3 −11.3
37.2 to 74.6 19.4 −0.50 −8.2 −11.7 −4.7
74.6 to 240 19.4 −0.30 −4.9 −8.4 −1.4

Note: qh = 19.4 psf; G = 0.85.

Wind Loads
 110 Wind Loads

Table G9-8. External Pressures for Wind Normal to Wall W4

Design pressures
External (psf)
Surface z or x q pressure
Surface type designation (ft) (psf) Cp (psf) (+GCpi ) (−GCpi )
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Walls W4, W8 0 to 15 14.7 +0.80 +10.0 +6.5 +13.5

20 16.0 +0.80 +10.9 +7.4 +14.4
30 18.1 +0.80 +12.3 +8.8 +15.8
W6, W2 0 to 30 19.4 −0.42 −6.9 −10.4 −3.4
W1, W3, 0 to 30 19.4 −0.70 −11.5 −15.0 −8.0
W5, W7
Roofs C1, A2 — 19.4 −0.25 −4.1 −7.6 −0.6
(⊥ to ridge) 19.4 +0.25 +4.1 +0.6 +7.6
C2, A1 — 19.4 −0.60 −9.9 −13.4 −6.4
Roofs A3, C3 0 to 37.3 19.4 −0.90 −14.8 −18.3 −11.3
(∥ to ridge) 37.3 to 70 19.4 −0.50 −8.2 −11.7 −4.7
B1, B2 0 to 37.3 19.4 −0.90 −14.8 −18.3 −11.3
37.2 to 74.6 19.4 −0.50 −8.2 −11.7 −4.7
74.6 to 240 19.4 −0.30 −4.9 −8.4 −1.4

Note: qh = 19.4 psf; G = 0.85.

Table G9-9. External Pressures for Wind Normal to Wall W3

Design pressures
External (psf)
Surface Surface q pressure
type designation z (ft) (psf) Cp (psf) (+GCpi ) (−GCpi )

Walls W3 0 to 15 14.7 +0.80 +10.0 +6.5 +13.5

20 16.0 +0.80 +10.9 +7.4 +14.4
30 18.1 +0.80 +12.3 +8.8 +15.8
W1, W7, W5 0 to 30 19.4 −0.50 −8.2 −11.7 −4.7
W2, W4, 0 to 30 19.4 −0.70 −11.5 −15.0 −8.0
W6, W8
Roofs B1 — 19.4 −0.25 −4.1 −7.6 −0.6
(⊥ to ridge) 19.4 +0.25 +4.1 +0.6 +7.6
A3, B2, C3 — 19.4 −0.60 −9.9 −13.4 −6.4
Roofs A1, A2, 0 to 37.3 19.4 −0.90 −14.8 −18.3 −11.3
(∥ to ridge) C1, C2
37.3 to 74.6 19.4 −0.50 −8.2 −11.7 −4.7
74.6 to 170 19.4 −0.30 −4.9 −8.4 −1.4

Note: qh = 19.4 psf; G = 0.85.

load cases as defined in Figure 27.3-8. Case 1 includes the loadings determined in
this example and shown in Table G9-7 through Table G9-10. A combination of
windward (PW) and leeward (PL) loads are applied for Load Cases 2, 3, and 4 as
shown in Figure G9-4.

Wind Loads
 U-Shaped Apartment Building 111

Table G9-10. External Pressures for Wind Normal to Wall

W1–W7–W5

Design pressures
External (psf)
Surface Surface q pressure
type designation z (ft) (psf) Cp (psf) (+GCpi ) (−GCpi )
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Walls W1, W7, W5 0 to 15 14.7 +0.80 +10.0 +6.5 +13.5

20 16.0 +0.80 +10.9 +7.4 +14.4
30 18.1 +0.80 +12.3 +8.8 +15.8
W3 0 to 30 19.4 −0.50 −8.2 −11.7 −4.7
W2, W4, 0 to 30 19.4 −0.70 −11.5 −15.0 −8.0
W6, W8
Roofs A3, B2, C3 — 19.4 −0.25 −4.1 −7.6 −0.6
(⊥ to ridge) 19.4 +0.25 +4.1 +0.6 +7.6
B1 — 19.4 −0.60 −9.9 −13.4 −6.4
Roofs A1, A2, 0 to 37.3 19.4 −0.90 −14.8 −18.3 −11.3
(∥ to ridge) C1, C2
37.3 to 74.6 19.4 −0.50 −.8.2 −11.7 −4.7
74.6 to 170 19.4 −0.30 −4.9 −8.4 −1.4

Note: qh = 19.4 psf; G = 0.85.

Figure G9-4. Design wind load cases for wind normal to Walls W2
and W3.

Wind Loads
 112 Wind Loads

For Load Case 2, there are two loading conditions shown; both of them need to
be checked independently. The eccentricities are calculated as follows:

ex = 0.15Bx = 0.15ð170Þ = 25.5 ft

and
ey = 0.15By = 0.15ð240Þ = 36 ft
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Design Pressures for Components and Cladding

Design pressure for C&C is obtained by the provisions of Chapter 30, Part 1, of
ASCE 7-16 by the following equation:

p = qh ½ðGC p Þ − ðGC pi Þ (30.3-1)

where
qh = 19.4 psf,
(GCp) = External pressure coefficient (Figure 30.3-1 of ASCE 7-16), and
(GCpi) = ±0.18, the internal pressure coefficient for enclosed buildings.

Wall Design Pressures: The pressure coefficients (GCp) are a function of

effective wind area (Table G9-11). The definition of effective wind area for
a C&C panel is the span length multiplied by an effective width that need not be
less than one-third the span length (Section 26.2 of ASCE 7-16). The effective
wind areas, A, for wall components are as follows:

Window unit:
A = 3(4) = 12 ft2 (controls)

Wall stud:
Larger of A = 10(1.33) = 13.3 ft2
or A = 10(10/3) = 33.3 ft2 (controls)

Width of Corner Zone 5:

Smaller of a = 0.1(170) = 17 ft
or a = 0.1(240) = 24 ft
or a = 0.4(37.3) = 14.9 ft (controls)
but not less than the smaller of
a = 0.04(170) = 6.8 ft
or a = 0.04(240) = 9.6 ft
and not less than
a = 3 ft

Table G9-11. Wall Design Pressures for Components and Cladding

Zones 4 and 5 Zone 4 Zone 5

Component A (ft2) (+GCp) (−GCp) (−GCp)

Window 12 +0.99 −1.09 −1.37

Wall Stud 33.3 +0.91 −1.01 −1.22

Wind Loads
 U-Shaped Apartment Building 113

Table G9-12. Controlling Design Pressures for Wall Components

Design pressure (psf)

Zone 4 Zone 5
Component Positive Negative Positive Negative
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Window unit +22.7 −24.6 +22.7 −30.1

Wall stud +21.1 −23.1 +21.1 −27.2

Typical Design Pressure Calculations: Controlling design pressures for wall

components are presented in Table G9-12.

Controlling negative design pressure for a window unit in Zone 4 of walls

= 19.4[(−1.09) − (±0.18)]
= −24.6 psf (positive internal pressure controls)

Controlling positive design pressure for a window unit in Zone 4 of walls

= 19.4[(+0.99) − (±0.18)]
= 22.7 psf (negative internal pressure controls)

The design pressures are the algebraic sum of external and internal pressures.
Controlling negative pressure is obtained with positive internal pressure, and
controlling positive pressure is obtained with negative internal pressure.

The Edge Zone 5 for the walls are arranged at exterior corners (Figure G9-5).

Roof Design Pressures: The C&C roof pressure coefficients for θ = 22.6° are
given in Figure 30.3-2G of ASCE 7-16 and presented in Table G9-13 and
Table G9-14. The pressure coefficients are a function of the effective wind

Figure G9-5. Component and cladding wall pressure zones.

Wind Loads
 114 Wind Loads

Table G9-13. Roof External Pressure Coefficients

Negative
Positive
Zones 1, 2e, 2r, 3 Zone 1 Zones 2e, 2r, 3
A (ft2) (GCp) (GCp) (−GCp)
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1,633 +0.3 −0.80 −1.0

Table G9-14. Roof Design Pressures

Design pressure (psf)

Zones 1, 2e, 2r, 3 Zone 1 Zones 2e, 2r, 3
Component Positive Negative Negative

Roof truss +9.3 −19.0 −22.9

area. The definition of effective wind area for a component or cladding panel is
the span length multiplied by an effective width that need not be less than one-
third the span length (Section 26.2 of ASCE 7-16). The effective wind areas, A, for
the roof trusses are as follows:

Roof truss top chord:

Larger of A = 70(2.0) = 140 ft2
or A = 70(70/3) = 1633 ft2 (controls)

The design pressures are the algebraic sum of external and internal pressures.
Controlling negative pressure is obtained with positive internal pressure, and
controlling positive pressure is obtained with negative internal pressure.

Figure G9-6. Component and cladding roof pressure zones.

Wind Loads
 U-Shaped Apartment Building 115

The edge and corner zones for the hip roof are arranged as shown in
Figure G9-6.

Comment: The pressures determined in this example are limit state design
pressures for strength design. Section 2.3 of ASCE 7-16 indicates that the load
factor for the wind loads is 1.0 for loads determined in this example. If allowable
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stress design is to be used, the load factor for the wind load is 0.6 as shown in
Section 2.4 of ASCE 7-16.

Wind Loads