0% found this document useful (0 votes)

14 views

SCI Guide On Wind Loading

This document provides a summary of wind actions according to BS EN 1991-1-4. It is an uncontrolled copy of a publication from the Steel Construction Institute titled "Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4". The document explains how to purchase a hardcopy version and notes that the material is copyrighted and was reproduced under license. It also provides a brief overview of the services offered by the Steel Construction Institute, including membership, advice, publications, education and engineering support.

Uploaded by

petermurphy2000002

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

0% found this document useful (0 votes)

14 views

SCI Guide On Wind Loading

Uploaded by

petermurphy2000002

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

You are on page 1/ 121

Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction In

A single copy of this

Steel Construction Institute

publication is licensed to

uliverpool
on
09/02/2019

This is an uncontrolled copy

University of Liverpool

This is an uncontrolled copy. Ensure use of the most current version of this document
by searching the Construction Information Service at http://uk.ihs.com.
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

Wind Actions
to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

Wind Actions
to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

SCI Publication P394

P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

A F Hughes MA MICE MIStructE

Wind Actions
to BS EN 1991-1-4

i
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

SCI (The Steel Construction Institute) is the leading, independent provider of technical expertise
and disseminator of best practice to the steel construction sector. We work in partnership with
clients, members and industry peers to help build businesses and provide competitive advantage
through the commercial application of our knowledge. We are committed to offering and promoting
sustainable and environmentally responsible solutions.

Our service spans the following areas:

Membership Consultancy
Individual & corporate membership Development
Product development
Advice Engineering support
Members advisory service Sustainability
Information Assessment
Publications SCI Assessment
Education
Events & training Specification
Websites
Engineering software

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
© 2014 SCI. All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of
research or private study or criticism or review,
Publication Number: SCI P394 as permitted under the Copyright Designs and
Patents Act, 1988, this publication may not be
ISBN 13: 978-1-85942-210-6 reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form
or by any means, without the prior permission
Published by: in writing of the publishers, or in the case of
SCI, Silwood Park, Ascot, reprographic reproduction only in accordance
Berkshire. SL5 7QN UK with the terms of the licences issued by the UK
Copyright Licensing Agency, or in accordance with
T: +44 (0)1344 636525 the terms of licences issued by the appropriate
F: +44 (0)1344 636570 Reproduction Rights Organisation outside the UK.
E: reception@steel‑sci.com Enquiries concerning reproduction outside
the terms stated here should be sent to the
www.steel‑sci.com publishers, SCI.

To report any errors, contact: Although care has been taken to ensure, to

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

publications@steel‑sci.com the best of our knowledge, that all data and
information contained herein are accurate to
the extent that they relate to either matters of
fact or accepted practice or matters of opinion
at the time of publication, SCI, the authors and
the reviewers assume no responsibility for any
errors in or misinterpretations of such data and/or
information or any loss or damage arising from or
related to their use.

Publications supplied to the members of the

Institute at a discount are not for resale by them.

British Library Cataloguing‑in‑Publication Data.

A catalogue record for this book is available from
the British Library.

The text paper in this publication is totally

chlorine free. The paper manufacturer and
the printers have been independently certified
in accordance with the rules of the Forest
Stewardship Council.

ii
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

Foreword

This guidance has been prepared to assist structural engineers with the evaluation of
wind actions for buildings in the UK in accordance with the provisions of BS EN 1991‑1‑4[1]
(‘the Standard’), its UK National Annex[2] (‘the NA’) and the additional guidance contained
in BSI Published Document PD 6688‑1‑4[3] (‘the PD’). The focus is on the calculation of
overall lateral wind forces acting on orthodox steel framed buildings. Evaluation of
surface pressures is also covered. Little attention is given to material in the Standard,
NA and PD which is of interest mainly to bridge, chimney or tower designers.

Wind action is an important design consideration for most buildings, and very important
for some. Numerous influences, with directional variation, are factored into a wind

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
calculation. Within the framework of BS EN 1991‑1‑4, designers have to strike a balance
between simplicity, with conservative results, and more involvement, yielding more precision.

Since 2010, the Standard and NA in combination have provided the UK with
a substantial technical advance on BS 6399‑2[4]. However the challenges of
harmonization, together with the rules governing the preparation of Eurocodes and
their supporting documents, have had adverse effects on presentational coherence.
The aim of the present Design Guide is to set out the procedure for UK wind
calculations in an accessible and comprehensible manner.

The content was drafted by Alastair Hughes of the Steel Construction Institute, and
reviewed by colleagues, notably David Iles, whose painstaking efforts to improve and
prepare it for publication deserve special acknowledgement.
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
Particular thanks are due to Dr Paul Blackmore of BRE Group, John Rees of Flint
& Neill and Prof R S Naryanan of Clark Smith Partnership for generous assistance
with interpretation of Standard and NA provisions and for their scrutiny of the final
draft. Helpful discussions with Andrew Allsop, David Brown and Brian Smith are also
gratefully acknowledged. Dr Buick Davison of Sheffield University has kindly provided
information for the design example.

This Design Guide has been sponsored by the British Constructional Steelwork Association
and Tata Steel.

iii
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

Contents

Foreword iii 6 SURFACE PRESSURES 47

6.1 External pressure coefficients 48
Summary vii
6.2 Internal pressure 50
Notation ix 6.3 Pressures for cladding design 51
6.4 Division by parts 53
1 INTRODUCTION 1
6.5 Multispan roofs 54
1.1 Design Standard and supporting documents 1
1.2 Scope 2 7 DESIGN VALUES OF WIND ACTIONS 57
1.3 Arrangement of this Design Guide 3 7.1 Classification 57
7.2 Partial factors on actions 57
2 THE NATURE OF WIND 5
7.3 Accidental design situations 58
2.1 The wind climate 5
7.4 Fatigue limit state 59
2.2 The atmospheric boundary layer 5
2.3 Turbulence 8 TALL AND UNUSUAL STRUCTURES

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
6 61
2.4 Orography 6
9 DESIGN EXAMPLE 63
3 HOW WIND ACTS ON BUILDINGS 9 9.1 Wind on a building (Sheffield Bioincubator) 63
3.1 Flow around an obstruction 9 9.2 Some comparisons 74
3.2 Detachment 9 9.3 Wind on an element (the external column) 76
3.3 Surface pressures 9
10 CLADDING DESIGN EXAMPLE 79
3.4 Size effect 10
10.1 Velocity pressure for cladding design 79
3.5 High local suctions 10
10.2 Size and dynamic factor for cladding 79
3.6 Overall forces 10
10.3 External pressure coefficients 79
4 HOW BUILDINGS REACT TO WIND 13 10.4 Internal pressure coefficients 80
4.1 Dynamic amplification 13 10.5 Pressure for cladding specification 80
4.2 Cross-wind oscillation 13
REFERENCES 83
4.3 Interference between buildings 14
Credits 84
5 THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE 17
5.1 General 17 A Appendix: THE MORE To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
5.2 The influence of orography 18 ELABORATE TREATMENT 87
5.3 Calculation of peak velocity pressure 18
B APPENDIX: DESIGN ACTIONS FOR
5.4 Calculation of overall force 37
NON-STANDARD DURATIONS 91
5.5 Application of lateral wind
B.1 Probability factor 91
force to the building 44
B.2 Season factor 92
B.3 Minimum wind 93

C APPENDIX: CALCULATION AIDS 95

v
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute

vi
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

Summary

This publication has been prepared to guide structural engineers through the process
of establishing design wind actions for orthodox steel framed buildings in the UK, in
accordance with the Eurocodes, UK National Annexes and other authoritative information.

The calculation procedure to determine design wind actions is set out in Sections 5
and 6 and is demonstrated in a numerical example in Sections 9 and 10.

vii
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

Notation

Where wind is concerned, the axis convention is that x is the wind direction and z is upwards.

The list which follows is not exhaustive but includes most of the symbols referred to in
this Design Guide.

A Altitude; area, e.g. face or r Radius

shadow area; coefficient in s Orographic location factor
polynomial expression for v Velocity
orographic location factor w Wind pressure
B Coefficient in polynomial (relative to atmospheric)
expression for orographic Distance from orographic crest

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
X
location factor (negative upwind)
b Breadth (the cross-wind dimen- x Coordinate in wind direction
sion for a building or element) y Coordinate in cross-wind direction
c Coefficient; factor z Coordinate in vertical direction
(see glossary below) (height above ground)
d Depth (the in-wind dimension for
a building or element); distance
e Eccentricity; zone extent
parameter (‘scaling length’, α Roof angle
the smaller of b and 2h) γ Partial factor
F Force δ Logarithmic decrement
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
H Height, e.g. of hill or cliff of damping
h Height, e.g. of building ζ Critical damping ratio
or displacement θ Wind direction (0° from North,
I Intensity of turbulence 90° from East etc.)
(expressed in velocity terms λ Slenderness
as Iv = σv/vm ) ρ Density (of air; taken as
L Length, e.g. of slope 1.226 kg/m3 in UK)
l Length σ Standard deviation
n Natural frequency φ Upwind slope
p Annual probability (of orographic feature)
of exceedance ϕ Solidity ratio
q Velocity pressure (= dynamic ψ Factor
pressure = stagnation pressure) (commonly a reduction factor)

ix
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
notation

Subscripts
alt altitude s size; reference (in zs )
ave average (‘av’ in the PD) sh shadow (Ash = projected area
b basic as viewed in wind direction)
crit critical shed (Ashed = plan area of multispan
d dynamic; design; downslope roof; see EN 1991‑1‑4, 7.2.7(4))
dir directional sw swept (Asw = area of faces
dis displacement aligned with the wind)
e exposure; external; effective; T town
equivalent; reference (in ze ) u upwind; upslope
e,T correction for exposure in town v velocity
f force w wind
fr friction x in-wind
flat flat; ‘non-orographic’ y cross-wind
i internal z vertical
loc lack-of-correlation 0 basic (e.g. at 10 m above
m mean ground); for wind angle 0°;
map from the wind map combination value; without

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
net combined effect of free-end flow
opposite sides 1 fundamental (Mode 1) when
o; (o) orography applied to natural frequency n
p peak; pressure; parapet
prob probability
r roughness (of terrain);
rounded (corners) α inclinational
r,T correction for roughness in town θ rotational
ref reference λ end effect

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

x
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

Glossary of c-factors and coefficients

Symbol Name Applies to:

calt Altitude factor (≥ 1)
cdir Directional factor (≤ 1)
cseason Season factor (≤ 1; = 1 for all normal buildings)
Velocity
cprob Probability factor (= 1 for all normal buildings)
cr Roughness factor (see note 1 below)
cr,T Town terrain roughness correction factor (≤ 1)
co Orography factor (> 1; ignorable if < 1.05) See note 2 below
ce Exposure factor (see note 1 below)
ce,T Town terrain exposure correction factor (≤ 1)
cs Size factor (≤ 1)
cd Dynamic factor (≥ 1)
cscd ‘Structural’ factor (see note 3 below)
cpe External pressure coefficient Pressure
(or its effects)
cloc Lack-of-correlation factor (0.85 ≤ cloc ≤ 1)
Internal pressure coefficient

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
cpi
cp,net Net pressure coefficient
cf Force coefficient
cfr Friction coefficient (range 0.01 to 0.04)

Note 1: Exposure factors and roughness factors are never used together. The simpler treatment
(Section 5 of this Design Guide) uses exposure factors. cr is not to be confused with the
‘roughness factor’ for a multispan roof introduced (without symbol) in EN 1991-1-4, 7.2.7(4).
Note 2: The orography factor co only applies directly, to mean velocity, with the more elaborate
treatment (obligatory for buildings over 50 m in ‘orographic’ situations). In the simpler
treatment, the factor which applies, to peak velocity, is [(co + 0.6)/1.6].
Note 3: In the UK the recommended approach is to determine the cs and cd factors separately.

In EN 1991-1-4, the NA and the PD, (z) is sometimes appended to a symbol to

indicate that the symbolized variable is for height above ground z. This practice To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

may be regarded as optional and has not been adopted here. Thus, for instance,
Expression (NA.4b), which appears in the NA as:

qp(z) = [1 + 3,0 · Iv(z)]2 · 0.5 · ρ · vm2

would be presented in this Design Guide, which adheres to standard UK practice in the
use of decimal points, as:

qp = 0.5ρ [vm (1 + 3Iv )]2

In several cases, expressions found in the Standard and the NA are rearranged in this
Design Guide for simplicity and clarity.

xi
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute

xii
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Design Standard and supporting documents

This publication provides guidance for designers using the Eurocodes for buildings in
the UK. Comparison with BS 6399‑2 is made sparingly, but due emphasis is given to
unfamiliar methods and terminology.

The Eurocode for wind actions, EN 1991‑1‑4, is not intended to be used alone, even if all
its Recommended Values (RVs) were accepted. Unlike EN 1991‑1‑3[5], which contains a
set of European snow maps, EN 1991‑1‑4 does not include wind maps. Users are reliant
on the relevant national annex to deliver information on the national wind climate and to

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
set Nationally Determined Parameters (NDPs). The UK NA’s intervention goes beyond the
provision of climatic information. EN 1991‑1‑4 offers more than 60 formal opportunities
for national choice to deviate from its recommendations, and national choice is much
exercised by the UK. This is done in the interests of technical quality and simplicity, but at
some cost to coherence of presentation.

For design of structures located in the national territory, NDPs in the national annex
prevail over any RVs given in the Standard.

The latest version of the Standard at time of writing is EN 1991‑1‑4:2005+A1:2010.

The UK NA referred to is ‘National Amendment No 1’ (dated 2010, issued January 2011)
which incorporates significant amendments to the 2008 version, including a revised wind
map and a full set of nationally determined pressure coefficients.
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
The Eurocode system, while permitting national choice (in specific instances where
it is invited), does not allow national annexes to give reasons for those choices.
PD 6688‑1‑4:2009 has been issued as a BSI ‘Published Document’ to explain and
justify the choices made in the NA on behalf of UK building designers, owners and
users. The PD has the status of ‘Non-Contradictory Complementary Information’ (NCCI).
At time of writing, the PD had yet to be revised to reflect the 2010 changes.

Designers should note that PD 6688‑1‑4 contains ‘additional guidance’ similar in

its presentation to normative material. This may be viewed as a way to retain valued
BS 6399‑2 provisions which are not incorporated in the European Standard.

In general, NCCI (of which the present publication is an example) can come from a variety
of sources, not subject to official control. However, a BSI Published Document such as
PD 6688‑1‑4 is NCCI at its most authoritative, albeit ‘informative’ not ‘normative’.

1
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
INTRODUCTION

BS EN 1991-1-4 is published by BSI as the English language version of EN 1991‑1‑4

(as published by CEN) together with a National Foreword (NF). The NF is purely
explanatory and contains no technical provisions. The NA, although an integral part
of the National Standard implementing the Eurocode, is published under separate
cover, as is the PD. In this Design Guide, it is necessary to explain differences between
the Eurocode and its UK implementation. To distinguish between them, the former is
referred to as EN 1991‑1‑4 (or ‘the Standard’), with the BS prefix reserved for the latter.

1.2 Scope
It would be unrealistic for the present Design Guide to stand alone as a replacement
for the Eurocode, NA and PD. Its ambition is more limited: to allow peak velocity
pressures and overall wind forces for most steel buildings in the UK to be calculated
without constant reference to the official documents. At various stages, and for further
detail, it will be necessary to have them to hand.

This Design Guide is for buildings in the UK. For a building located outside the UK, the
relevant national annex is liable to impose quite different parameters and methodology.

The ‘mainstream’ procedure, set out in Section 5, is for orthodox steel framed buildings

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
of height up to 100 m, unless they are in orographic situations (where the oncoming
wind has been accelerated by a hill or cliff), in which case the height must not exceed
50 m. The reason for the latter limitation is that the simpler treatment of the NA, used
in Section 5, becomes invalid. The more elaborate treatment, obligatory for buildings
over 50 m high in orographic situations, is outlined in Appendix A. An introduction to
orography and the terms used in this Design Guide is given in Section 2.4.

The advice in this Design Guide does not become invalid above 100 m, but dynamic
performance increasingly demands consideration. Figure 1.1 gives an illustration of
the applicability of this publication and
that of the Standard. In the centre of the
photograph, Citi Phase 1 (in its higher
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
part) is just over 100 m. Behind, HSBC
and Citi Phase 2, both 200 m, are at
the limit of applicability of EN 1991-1-4.
One Canada Square, partly visible at top
left, is (at time of writing) one of three UK
buildings which are outside the scope of
the Standard.

Bridges are outside the scope of

Figure 1.1 this Design Guide, as are canopies,
Canary Wharf:
Citi Phase 1
signboards, chimneys, tanks, towers and
(foreground); masts. Temporary buildings (and other
HSBC and buildings with an indicative design life
Citi Phase 2 (behind)

2
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

different from the normal 50 years) are not covered in the procedure in Section 5,
though EN 1991-1-4 does contain provision for ‘probability’ and ‘season’ factors to be
applied in such circumstances. These factors, not of concern in normal building design,
are discussed in Appendix B.

This Design Guide is essentially concerned with buildings in their final condition,
but part-completed buildings can be more vulnerable to wind than the finished product.
EN 1991‑1‑4, 2(3) is a reminder that design situations in course of execution may need
to be considered.

Most of the content of this publication would apply equally to non-steel-framed

buildings, but dynamic factors may vary.

1.3 Arrangement of this Design Guide

Sections 2, 3 and 4 contain background information aimed at readers new to the subject.

The core of the Design Guide, in Section 5, is a 25-stage procedure to determine

the overall wind force on a building which qualifies, as most UK buildings will, for the
simpler (exposure factor) treatment of the NA. Section 6 covers the evaluation of

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
surface pressures.

EN 1991 delivers characteristic (unfactored) values of actions. Design values for

ultimate limit state (ULS) design situations are the product of characteristic values and
EN 1990[6] partial factors, whose impact is discussed in Section 7.

The circumstances in which specialist wind engineering advice can be advantageous

are briefly reviewed in Section 8.

Section 9 provides a design example to demonstrate the procedure of Section 5;

Section 10 illustrates surface pressure calculation, as described in Section 6.

Appendix A outlines the more elaborate (roughness factor) treatment, which must
be followed if the building is over 50 m in height and in an ‘orographic’ situation.
Appendix B deals with factors applicable in temporary and/or transient situations. To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
Appendix C provides a blank worksheet for manual calculation and a ‘Wind Protractor’,
which can be photocopied onto transparent film to facilitate directional calculations.

3
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

THE NATURE OF WIND

2.1 The wind climate

Wind arises from instabilities in the earth’s
atmosphere caused by rotation of the planet and
surface temperature variations. The resulting air
flow is influenced by mountains and by friction at
the surface. Wind is a complex phenomenon in
three dimensions (four, if time is included) and the
science behind wind resistant design is essentially
observational. In the UK, design values of wind

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
speed are derived from statistical analysis of records
Figure 2.1 from around 50 anemometer stations distributed
Cup Anemometer by throughout the British Isles. There is an implied
Vector Instruments
Courtesy of Windspeed Ltd.
assumption that the wind climate is unchanging.

2.2 The atmospheric boundary layer

Buildings occupy an atmospheric ‘boundary layer’, within which wind speed gradually
increases with height. Above a somewhat ill-defined ‘gradient height’, mean wind
velocity is more or less constant. The atmospheric boundary layer is analogous to the
much-studied boundary layer of an aircraft wing, but on a vastly greater scale. The

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

velocity near the surface, and the gradient (its rate of increase with height), depend on
how much energy has been extracted by friction over the preceding terrain. Hence the
importance of upstream terrain roughness. EN 1991‑1‑4 defines five terrain categories,
but these are further simplified by NA.2.11 into three: Sea, Country and Town.

The boundary layer of an aircraft wing can be either laminar (smooth flow) or turbulent
(confused flow, with a significant randomness to the direction of motion). In contrast,
the atmospheric boundary layer is always a turbulent one, and the degree of turbulence
is an important variable. Rough terrain upstream makes the flow more turbulent, as
well as reducing mean velocity. Thermal effects are also instrumental in promoting
turbulence, especially in towns. It takes some time, and some distance, for these effects
to work upwards through the boundary layer. Graphs in Figures NA.7 and 8 (Figure 5.9
and Figure 5.11 of this Design Guide) give an indication of the rate at which the Zone A
(maritime) boundary layer is supplanted by Zone B (rural) and in turn by Zone C (urban).

5
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE NATURE OF WIND

2.3 Turbulence
For structural and facade engineers, the importance of turbulence is that it
superimposes peaks and troughs on the mean wind speed, and consequently
increases the peak pressures to be designed against. Turbulence on the scale that a
building will react to (upwards of about a metre in extent, or a second in duration) is
more popularly described as gustiness, and is responsible for a significant component
of the design action.

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Figure 2.2
Boundary Layer
Wind Tunnel
Courtesy of BMT Fluid Mechanics

Present design methods are founded on experiment, sometimes at full scale but
more often in the laboratory. The technique of recreating a scaled atmospheric
boundary layer in the wind tunnel is well developed. To be valid, wind tunnel tests
must properly model the velocity gradient and turbulence at the building location, and
this is emphasized in the guidance on testing in NA.2.2.1. Smooth flow experiments in
aeronautical wind tunnels give unreliable results. To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

2.4 Orography
Wind is deflected, and thereby accelerated, when high ground is encountered. Major
mountain ranges have a profound and global effect but the relatively modest landforms
encountered in the UK are also influential, especially in the immediate vicinity of cliffs
and other pronounced hills, ridges and escarpments. In this Design Guide, the term
‘orographic’ is used where these local effects are significant. When orography is not
significant, or when the effect can be neglected, the term ‘non-orographic’ is used in
this Guide. Traditionally these effects have been described as ‘topographic’.

In orographic situations, the mean wind velocity is magnified but the turbulent
component is not.

6
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

7
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

HOW WIND ACTS

ON BUILDINGS

3.1 Flow around an obstruction

Wind actions on a building result from the way the air is deflected around and above
it. How much passes around the sides and how much flows overhead will depend on
the proportions of the building, mainly its height and breadth as viewed in the wind
direction. Although a simpler two-dimensional view can be taken of the flow around a
linear element, or the lower part of a tall building, it is generally necessary to visualize
the flow in three dimensions.

Momentum is lost at the windward face, resulting in positive pressure. Continuity of

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
flow demands that the wind accelerates around the obstruction, resulting in negative
(sub-atmospheric) pressure, or suction, on the sides and roof. At the rear, there is a
relatively stagnant wake, also of negative pressure, before the flow recombines some
distance downstream.

3.2 Detachment
There is no such thing as a streamlined building. Most building shapes are bluff bodies
from which the flow will become detached, usually, but not always, at corners. Rotation
(eddying) is induced in the body of air between the detached flow and the building,
generating high local suctions in this zone. If the detachment is at a windward corner
of the building, reattachment further along is possible. Lines of reattachment are not
anchored in position, so local pressures can fluctuate wildly. There is potential for various To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

types of instability, in which the building’s own flexibility is liable to play a part (see
Section 4.2). Such dynamic interaction, in which action and effect reinforce one another,
would be described as ‘aerolastic’ behaviour. Most low to medium rise buildings will be
stiff enough not to exhibit this, but all buildings are subject to the pressure fluctuations.

3.3 Surface pressures

At any point on the surface, pressure fluctuates in magnitude (and even between
positive and negative), due to gustiness of the oncoming wind and the consequences
of its interruption by the building.

Peak pressures on the various surfaces are represented by non-dimensional pressure

coefficients, cp, which are multiplied by the peak velocity pressure qp to obtain the

9
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
How wind acts
on buildings

pressure w acting on the surface/zone in question. From the Bernoulli expression (or
Newton’s second law) velocity pressure q = 0.5ρv2. In a one-dimensional view, q would
represent the pressure generated by bringing the flow to a standstill. It is also known
as stagnation pressure or dynamic pressure.

Coefficients are mainly derived from extreme value analysis of integrated multiple
instantaneous pressure measurements in a wind tunnel. The model is rotated at
various angles to cover the quadrant of wind directions (45° either side of face-on) for
which the coefficients are relied upon to be valid.

3.4 Size effect

The gusty nature of wind means that the design pressure on a 1 m2 area is greater than
that for a 10 m2 area, as gusts are limited in extent and the most intense gusts are the
smallest ones. In the UK, Table NA.3 (or Table 5.1 of this Design Guide) prescribes size
factors to allow for this. EN 1991-1-4 provides for different pressure coefficients for
different loaded areas, to do so in another way, but these are not adopted in the UK.

3.5 High local suctions

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
High local suctions occur downstream of corners, in the zones of detachment. They govern
the cladding design and can generate severe uplift conditions for individual roof beams
and purlins. Where faces are inclined to the wind (as in a sloping roof) these zones can
also influence the overall lateral force on the structure.

The most severe local roof suctions typically result from the formation of a vortex
from the leading corner, with wind at an angle around 45°, inducing lateral flow and
in turn a rotational (helical) flow pattern. In a vortex, kinetic energy from the flow is
concentrated into accelerating a small mass of air, with intense but localized damaging
power. Pressure coefficients in the areas at risk can locally attain the value of −2.6.

3.6 Overall forces To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

For structural engineering, the primary objective is normally to establish overall lateral
forces on the structure in each of two directions at right angles. These forces result
from a combination of positive pressure on one windward face and negative pressure
on one leeward face. It is statistically unlikely that both the front and back of a building
will experience their peak wind actions simultaneously. A reduction factor to account
for this lack of correlation may be applicable when calculating the combined effect on
the structure as a whole. Moreover, the peak values of pressure on the two faces may
not coincide in wind direction either, bearing in mind that each has been separately
assessed for a full quadrant of incident wind. Force coefficients, based on wind tunnel
testing designed to capture the overall action (either directly by high frequency force
measurement or by integration from simultaneous surface pressure readings),
are inherently superior because no undue conservatism arises.

10
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

Friction on the side and roof faces of the building adds to the wind forces which result
from pressures acting normal to the other surfaces. This ‘skin’ friction, quite distinct
from mechanical friction, is actually the drag on small scale surface protuberances.
The greater the area exposed to the flow, the greater the frictional force. In principle
friction should be added when not allowed for in the force coefficient, or if overall force
is calculated by vectorial summation of surface pressures. Fortunately it is often small
enough to neglect.

The conventional view of wind as acting in two principal directions at right angles to
the faces of a rectangular building is convenient because the lateral resistance of the
building will usually be organized in the same two directions. Tabulated coefficients
implicitly allow for non-perpendicular wind. What they cannot be expected to allow for
is non-rectangular buildings (some regular shapes excepted). A common engineering
expedient is to calculate for an imaginary building whose plan shape is the enclosing
rectangle. This is hardly likely to underestimate overall forces but may not be realistic
for local pressures.

11
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute

12
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

HOW BUILDINGS
REACT TO WIND

4.1 Dynamic amplification

Buildings do not simply lean backwards when wind force acts. They also sway to and
fro in line with the wind, at their natural frequency. There is some degree of dynamic
magnification of the displacements and other effects (internal member forces) that
would result from application of the wind force in static fashion. This magnification is
accounted for by a dynamic factor in the Standard.

Because turbulent wind provides a continuing supply of energy to sustain oscillation,

damping is all-important in limiting its magnitude. Damping is impossible to predict

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
with certainty, as non-structural components and furnishings of the building can
often absorb more energy than the frame, but an estimate must be made for design
purposes and EN 1991‑1‑4 Table F.2 suggests that a value of δ = 0.05 is appropriate for
typical steel buildings. Note that δ is the logarithmic decrement. The critical damping
ratio is given by:

ξ = 1
1 + (2/δ )2

≈ (for low damping) δ /(2π)

A logarithmic decrement of 0.05 corresponds to just under 0.8% of critical damping.

For composite construction, or with a reinforced concrete core, δ may be taken as 0.08
(1.27% of critical). To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

These damping values are ‘informative’, so designers are, in principle at least, free
to choose different values. Measurements on actual buildings display a huge scatter
and do not support the customary distinction between material types, except for tall
buildings. There is a trend for damping to decrease as height increases, presumably
because proportionately less energy is dissipated into the ground. Very tall buildings
(outside the scope of this Design Guide) are acutely sensitive to damping assumptions,
and their design wind effects can be more than doubled by dynamic amplification.

4.2 Cross-wind oscillation

Buildings can also be induced to sway in the y-direction. For a tower block, cross-
wind oscillation due to von Karman vortex shedding (rhythmic detachment and

13
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
How buildings
react to wind

reattachment alternating between opposite sides) may be troublesome when the

vortex shedding coincides with a natural frequency of the structure. Since this can
occur at a wind velocity which is relatively low, and frequently experienced, it raises
issues of serviceability (occupant comfort) and fatigue. It is one of the reasons
for recommending specialist wind engineering advice for higher and more slender
buildings (see Section 8).

Vortex-induced vibration is only one of a number of aerodynamic and aerolastic

instabilities which receive attention in EN 1991‑1‑4, the NA and the PD. The subject
area is rarely of concern for conventional buildings within the scope of this Design
Guide. However designers should be aware that external elements of low-rise buildings,
notably cable, bar or CHS stays, can be vulnerable to the same phenomena (see
BS EN 1993‑1‑11[7], Section 8).

There is a lack of international consensus on the treatment of aerolastic instabilities.

Consequently, NA.3.5 states that Annex E of the Standard ‘should not be used’ in the
UK. Annex A of the PD is provided as its replacement.

4.3 Interference between buildings

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Mention should also be made of aerodynamic interference between neighbouring
buildings. A tall building can scoop down high velocity upper air to the detriment of a
low building in its immediate vicinity. EN 1991‑1‑4 A.4 offers design rules which may be
of service (if the higher building is already present or planned).

It is also possible for surface suctions to be increased, with implications for cladding
design, if two buildings are separated by a small gap. This type of ‘funnelling’ is dealt
with in notes d and e under Table NA.4 and also in PD 6688‑1‑4, 3.9.3.1.

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

14
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

15
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

THE CALCULATION
PROCEDURE

5.1 General
The procedure described here is for the calculation of characteristic values of overall
wind actions on a building up to 100 m (or, in an orographic situation, 50 m) in height
above ground.

The procedure is presented in 25 stages so as to allow for every possible influence

embraced by BS EN 1991-1-4. In practice it would be rare for all of these to apply in
any one case. Several stages will not apply if the site is out of town, and even in town
the consideration of displacement is optional. Other stages will apply only if orography,

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
or friction, proves to be ‘significant’.

▪▪ Stages 1 to 11 evaluate peak velocity pressure qp , the key intermediate result,

without regard for orography
▪▪ Stages 12 to 17 cater for orographic situations, which will usually increase the peak
velocity pressure
▪▪ Stages 18 to 25 determine overall force on a building (or component) by means of a
force coefficient

Forces on buildings can alternatively be derived from surface pressures as described

in Section 6. For a calculation of overall lateral force by vectorial summation of surface
pressures, the procedure is taken as far as Stage 20 (at which the highest value of
qpcscd is identified). Stages 22/23 are also relevant, as friction, if significant, must be
added to the summation. To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

For an overall force calculation, z (the height for which the wind is calculated) is generally
taken as equal to the height of the building, measured to the top, which may be a ridge
or a parapet. For all normal buildings, this is what BS EN 1991-1-4 requires. Exceptions
to this rule are off-ground spheres, signboards, bridges and some types of canopy –
all outside the scope of this Design Guide. Users will encounter the term ‘reference height’
and symbol ze for the height for which the wind is calculated, but ‘reference height’ has
more than one meaning. Confusion between z, ze and zs (used to calculate the altitude
factor) can be minimized by avoiding the ze term.

For some purposes, the height z for which qp is determined may vary. For example,
it would be appropriate to calculate for a lower level (z < h) in a separate calculation
for an individual element that is not as high as the building (see Section 9.3 for an

17
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

example), or to calculate a local pressure part way up a windward face. So-called

‘division by parts’ is only appropriate for the windward face, and then only if the building is
taller than its cross-wind breadth. More advice on division by parts is given in Section 6.4.

5.2 The influence of orography

Initially, the procedure calls for a calculation without regard for orography, even for a
situation which is clearly ‘orographic’. This is because the ‘non-orographic’ calculation
might produce a more onerous result.

The reason for the 50 m height limit in an orographic situation is that the simpler of the two
treatments in the NA (using exposure factors) becomes invalid above this height. The NA
requires a more elaborate treatment (using roughness factors) for a building over 50 m
high in an orographic situation. The descriptions ‘simpler’ and ‘more elaborate’ are not
used in the NA itself, but the latter corresponds to Expression (NA.4b) and the bottom
two boxes in each of its flow charts (Figures A.NA.1 and A.NA.2).

For a building over 50 m in height, the simpler procedure presented in this Section can
confidently be followed where it is obvious that the situation is not an orographic one.

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Where the situation of a building over 50 m is orographic, the more elaborate
treatment (outlined in Appendix A of this Design Guide) must be pursued. This course
of action can also be embarked upon if it is not immediately obvious whether the
orography is ‘significant’. There will be no need to change course if, in some or all
sectors, orography proves insignificant, because the more elaborate treatment is of
general application. Without orography, both treatments should give the same result.

5.3 Calculation of peak velocity pressure

Stage 1 Obtain vmap from the UK wind map

The 2010 UK wind map is reproduced as Figure 5.1.

The map wind speed, symbolized here as vmap (short for vb,map), is the 10 minute mean To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

wind velocity with a 0.02 annual probability of exceedance, equivalent to a 50 year

mean recurrence interval (‘return period’). Note that in order to minimize confusion the
terms ‘fundamental’, ‘basic’ and ‘fundamental basic’ are avoided in this Design Guide.

The 10 minute averaging time for the map wind speed is a departure from the hourly
mean on which the 1995 wind map in BS 6399‑2 was based. Over a shorter period,
mean velocities are higher, simply because there is less opportunity for a lull to cancel
out a peak in the record. 10 minute mean velocities are (empirically) 6% higher than
hourly mean velocities.

Other changes from the 1995 map reflect the availability of improved records. With
30 years of record, as opposed to 11 years in BS 6399‑2, extreme value statistical
analysis can safely predict a characteristic velocity slightly lower than before.

18
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

Figure 5.1
2010 wind map from
NA to BS EN 1991‑1‑4: Contours of vmap are in m/s and the grid squares are 100 × 100 km
2005+A1:2010

More obvious are the regional variations which result from some substitutions and
reappraisals of anemometer stations. These have most effect in central highland
Scotland (where map winds have become stronger) and part of eastern coastal England
(where the change is favourable). A calibration study[8] details these differences.

The public domain data used to plot the wind map, together with other graphically
presented information in the NA, can be freely downloaded in csv format[9].

19
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

Stage 2 Calculate the altitude factor calt

High ground presents an obstacle to the airstream in the atmospheric boundary layer
and the air must accelerate to maintain continuity of flow. Anemometer stations vary
in altitude, but this variation has been allowed for in the preparation of the wind map.
Hence vmap is the wind speed to be expected if the anemometer were 10 m above sea
level, rather than its actual altitude. The reverse adjustment must now be made to
correct for the altitude and height of the building under design. For a building at least
16.7 m high, the value of the altitude factor is given by:

calt = 1 + 0.001A(10/zs )0.2

in which:
A is the site altitude (ground level in front of the building in metres
above sea level)
zs is 0.6h where h is the height of the building (in metres above ground level).
If the wind calculation is for an individual element, rather than the building

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
as a whole, zs is obtained from EN 1991‑1‑4 Figure 6.1.

If zs < 10 m (buildings less than 16.7 m high) the expression reverts to:

calt = 1 + 0.001A (as in BS 6399-2)

As noted in NA.2.5, this shorter expression is conservative and may be used for
buildings of any height, at the designer’s option. The full expression will be most
beneficial where both the building and its site are relatively high. Elsewhere,
for the majority of buildings perhaps, the simplicity of the shorter version may
retain its appeal.
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
If advantage is taken of the full expression, the altitude factor depends on the building
as well as its site. Moreover, different altitude factors could be calculated for different
purposes. For example cladding design for a tower block might legitimately be based
on zs to mid-height of the topmost panel, yielding an appreciably lower calt than that
used for the structural design of the building (based on zs = 0.6h).

It should be pointed out that the symbol zs is used here, in place of plain z given in
NA.2.5, to avoid confusion between this ‘reference height’ zs and height z (= h) for
which the peak velocity pressure is calculated. EN 1991-1-4 Figure 6.1, in which
‘reference height’ zs is defined, appears in its Section 6 headed ‘Structural factor cscd’.
In UK practice the recommended approach is to use separate size and dynamic factors
in preference to a ‘structural factor’, largely ignoring Section 6 of the Standard. In this
Design Guide, zs is only encountered in the altitude factor formula.

20
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

Stage 3 Choose a sector size and orientation for consideration of directional effects
Most of the parameters which enter into a wind calculation are directional, or potentially so.
Influences of note are:

▪▪ Regional climatic bias. Throughout the UK south-westerly to westerly winds dominate,

in both frequency and severity. Figure 5.3 presents this variation graphically
▪▪ Distance from the shoreline, up to an arbitrary 100 km
▪▪ Orography (hills and cliffs accelerating the oncoming wind), which will almost always
vary with direction
▪▪ For an urban site, distance from the edge of town
▪▪ Displacement height (see Stage 5) may not be the same in all directions
▪▪ Size and dynamic factors both depend on breadth, which commonly varies
between the principal directions. Moreover, size factor is influenced by zoning and
displacement, so may vary from one sector to another

Designers have the option of adopting a ‘non-directional’ approach, combining the

most onerous of every influence from any direction. This is simple and safe, but often
excessively conservative because the most onerous directional influences do not align.

There is almost always advantage to be gained by subdividing the compass into a

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
number of sectors and calculating the directional parameters separately. If twelve
sectors of 30° are chosen, all twelve of the resulting wind actions will probably be
lower than that for the non-directional approach, and it will also be possible to extract
separate results for a building whose resistance is not the same in all directions.
In principle, any number of sectors could be chosen, but in practice there is unlikely
to be much to gain from more than twelve. Indeed, there may not be much to lose by
choosing four sectors of 90°, i.e. quadrants. The calculation process presented in this
Design Guide is based on twelve sectors, but may readily be adapted to quadrants.

The advantage to be gained from a directional approach varies from one location to
another and could only be quantified by doing the calculation both ways. However, it

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

will sometimes be obvious. For example, a site in Sunderland, a city on the coast but
over 100 km from the shoreline in all the directions for which cdir (see Figure 5.3 of this
Design Guide) exceeds 0.82, can benefit substantially.

The orientation of the sectors, as well as their number, is a matter of choice. There is
no obligation to adopt that presented in the NA, whose Table NA.1 lists directional
factors for twelve 30° sectors, starting with one centred on North. Ideally, the sector
orientation should be chosen to suit the building. In most buildings, lateral resistance
is organized in two orthogonal directions. It is for these principal directions that overall
wind actions are required, so the sectors (or quadrants) should be centred on the
building’s own axes. Any sector wholly or partially encompassed by a quadrant extending
45° either side of the axis can (at Stage 20) govern the design wind force in that
direction, so if the (30°) sectors do not ‘suit the building’ it is the highest of four
results that must be taken, rather than the highest of three. The diseconomy could be

21
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

compounded if the sector with the highest result happens to straddle the 45° line,
and thus govern both principal directions. This is bound to happen with a calculation
initially based on four quadrants of 90°, unless they are centred on the building axes.

It is therefore advisable to avoid potential diseconomy, and complication at later

stages, by orienting the sectors or quadrants to ‘suit the building’. Of course this is only
possible if the building is a regular one, whose own orientation is settled at the time of
the wind calculation. It is worth mentioning that most of the benefits of a directional
calculation remain available with arbitrarily chosen sectors (such as 345° to 15°,
15° to 45°, 45° to 75° etc.). Even the most onerous result from arbitrary quadrants,
applied in every direction, can deliver advantage over a non-directional calculation.

Local geography might also motivate choice of sector orientation. One example is an
escarpment, whose orographic influence could, by judicious orientation, be contained
within just six (30°) sectors, or two quadrants. Another is a sheet of water whose
shoreline influence could be contained within a carefully oriented sector. However
there is a risk that the advantage gained could be diminished or negated if that sector
were to straddle the 45° line at Stage 20. Trial and error may be called for.

To summarize, options for sector size and orientation are:

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
▪▪ Twelve 30° sectors, chosen to suit the building or the geography
▪▪ Four quadrants (90° sectors), chosen to suit the building or the geography

10
0

S2 S3
90

S1
80
70
60
0
00
2

00
50

S4
10
S1

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

at
40

km
30
20
S11

S5
1
0

S6
2
S1

km
at
1:

3
50
00
0

S7
S9
4

S8
E
G
ED
IS
TH
NG
5

O
AL

T
CU

Figure 5.2
SCI wind protractor
(half-scale)

22
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

▪▪ Any other consistently applied directional subdivision of the full 360° around the site
▪▪ A non-directional approach (single ‘360° sector’) taking cdir = 1

Although 30° sectors may be regarded as the default option, the second (quadrants)
option is also recommendable, especially for a preliminary calculation. In comparison
with twelve sectors, all that can be predicted with certainty is that the wind actions will
turn out no smaller, but the saving in manual effort is readily appreciable.

The SCI Wind Protractor (shown at half scale in Figure 5.2 and at full scale in Appendix C)
is designed to facilitate the process at this and later stages. It may be photocopied
onto transparent film and used as an overlay on maps and air views.

If the green lines of the protractor are aligned with the axes of the building, each group
of three 30° sectors will consolidate straightforwardly into a quadrant at Stage 20.
This is what is meant by ‘sectors to suit the building’. If the second option (quadrants
from the start) is chosen, Q1 = [S1 + S2 + S3], Q2 = [S4 + S5 + S6] etc.

Once the sector orientation has been decided, mark North on the protractor for
use at later stages.

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
N

355˚ 005˚ 015˚

345˚
˚ 025
335 ˚
5˚ 03
32 5˚

0.8 0.78 0
5˚

04
0.81
31

.77 5˚
2 0.75
5 0.8
0.8 05
5˚

0.7
30

30 5˚
8

.73
0.8
˚
295

065
1

0.7
0.9

˚
0.7
0.94
285˚

075˚
0.73
0.97

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

0.74 0.74 0.74 0.
275˚

085˚
0.99
265˚

095˚
1

73
255˚

105˚
0.7
1

0.7 3
45˚

115
5
2

0.7
8
12
˚
35

5˚
0.9
2

0.8
6 0.82
5˚

0.9
13
22

5˚

3 0.84
0.9 0.85
5˚ 0.91 0.88 5˚
14
21
Figure 5.3 ˚ 155
205 ˚
Directional factor 195˚
165˚
cdir for the UK at
185˚ 175˚

10° intervals

23
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

Stage 4 For each sector, determine the directional factor cdir

The directional factor can be found from Figure 5.3.

Figure 5.3 is based on Table NA.1, with values at 10° intervals. To obtain directional
factors for the chosen sector size and orientation, the SCI Wind Protractor can be
placed over Figure 5.3 with North at the top. For 30° sectors, the directional factor
may be read at the centreline of each sector. For larger sectors, the largest cdir
encompassed by the sector should be taken.

There will always be at least one sector for which cdir is 1.0.

Directional factors are a statistical measure of design wind velocity for a given
direction, relative to the worst from any direction. There is no regional variation within
the UK; the same factors apply in Shetland, Scilly and points between.

Stage 5 For each sector, determine the displacement height hdis

(for buildings in town)
If the site is not in town, or conservatively, take hdis = 0 and proceed to Stage 6.

‘Displacement’ allows for the sheltering effect of dense upstream urbanization. The base

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
of the atmospheric boundary layer is considered to be at displacement height hdis,
which is taken as 80% of the average height have of the upstream buildings, but not to
exceed 60% of h, the height of the building under design. Displacement subtracts from
the height (z) for which the wind is calculated, reducing wind action on the building as
a whole; it does not imply a wind-free zone below hdis.

It is always safe to underestimate displacement. Safer still, it may be ignored, taking

hdis = 0 so that (z − hdis) becomes equal to z.

For displacement to take effect, the buildings generating it need to extend at least 100 m
upstream, and a reasonable density of urbanization is required. Building height can be
far from uniform in British cities and towns, so assessment of displacement may require
judgement. It is quite likely that hdis will vary sector by sector. Air photographs or satellite
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
imagery can be a useful supplement to inspection on the ground.

The effect reduces if there is open space immediately in front of the building (such as a
square, or even a relatively wide road). EN 1991‑1‑4 Expression (A.15) gives a formula
which is presented graphically in Figure 5.4.

Not all suburbs are dense enough to provide reliable displacement. BRE Digest 436[10]
suggests that a minimum 8% coverage on plan, or 12 houses per hectare, is called for.
Modest displacement is proportionately fragile; a suburban level of displacement might
not survive the crossing of a wide road.

Although trees can be effective in the same way, a designer relying on a forest for
displacement would have to be very confident of its permanence. A NOTE to NA.2.11
advises that hdis should be taken as zero for sites in country terrain. In contrast,
urbanization is generally considered irreversible, though buildings are not permanent

24
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

Averaging distance
<100m
z
WIND
(z − hdis )

have hdis = 0.8have

A minimum of 100m of dense upstream urbanization establishes displacement of 0.8 have

2have 4have

z
WIND
(z − hdis )
0.8have

If there is open space in front of the building, displacement declines as illustrated

WIND
z
(z−hdis )

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
h
0.6h

NB: For a building whose height h is less than 1.33 have , (z − hdis ) must not be taken lower than 0.4h
Figure 5.4
Displacement height
(from EN 1991‑1‑4, A.5)

and regeneration can create open space. Figure 5.5 provides two cautionary examples
from Bradford, Yorkshire. At bottom left, outlined in green, a planned public open space
(City Park); at top right, outlined in pink, a stalled retail development site cleared in 2006,
now partially landscaped (Bradford Urban Garden). Both were once densely built up.

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

Figure 5.5
Air view of
central Bradford
RGB Aerial Photography
© GeoPerspectives

25
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

To summarize: displacement height hdis should be taken as the lowest 0.8have in any
direction encompassed by the sector, subject to any reduction due to foreground open
space (see Figure 5.4). The value of hdis must not exceed 0.6h. If upstream building
height is uncertain, it should be cautiously underestimated. If upstream building
density is in doubt, hdis should be taken as zero.

Stage 6 For each sector, determine the distance from the closest shoreline to the site
Ground, even open ground, is rougher than water so the primary influence on the
atmospheric boundary layer is the distance the wind has travelled since landfall. A map
covering the land area within 100 km of
the site can be used to determine the
distance from the closest shoreline to the
site, in each sector.

Figure 5.6 Distances in excess of 100 km need not

SCI wind protractor be evaluated. Shoreline usually means
centred at Sheffield
the sea, but inland water will count if it is
on 1:1000 000 map
The Times Atlas of the World closer than 1 km and more than 1 km in
(www.timesatlas.com)
radial extent.

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

Figure 5.7
The Severn estuary
CHELYS (www.eosnap.com)

For many locations in the UK the nearest shoreline is an estuary, and it will not always
be easy to judge its inland extent. A case in point is the Severn estuary, fairly straight,
deeply penetrating and aligned at 220° to 235°, which is practically coincident with
maximum directional factor (Figure 5.3). A reasonable assumption is that the shoreline
extends to Frampton on Severn, the point above which the river becomes tortuous and
less than 1 km in width. Measuring to Frampton would be appropriate for a location
such as Evesham, 45 km inland in line with the estuary. However, for a location such
as Hereford, 40 km distant but well off line, the Severn at Frampton has negligible
influence and the shoreline in this direction is effectively the Solent. Even in a more

26
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

south-westerly direction, for which Hereford’s closest shoreline might be taken around
Newport (60 km), it may be argued that 40 km of Severn estuary, preceded by over 70 km
of Devon and Somerset, and followed by another 60 km over land, can hardly be equivalent
to open sea. On the other hand, the estuary would undoubtedly represent sea for a site in
Newport itself. BRE Digest 436[10] offers the rule of thumb that estuary can be ignored if its
radial extent is exceeded by that of land upwind of the water and by that of land between
water and site. By this authority Hereford’s nearest shoreline is at Port Talbot (90 km).
These and other interpretations of the rule are arrowed on the map in Figure 5.8.

CARDIGAN BAY

100

EVESHAM
HEREFORD

90 45
FRAMPTON
NEWPORT STROUD
PORT TALBOT 25
~3 100+
BRISTOL CHANNEL

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
OF
UTH N
MO SEVER
THE 100+

Figure 5.8
Map of the Severn
to illustrate the BRE ENT
SOL
THE
Digest 436 estuary
rule (distances in km)

The same rule can be applied to areas of inland water which are more than 1 km in upwind
extent. Thus the influence of Lough Neagh, for example, would extend almost to Belfast.

Clearly the presumption of a stepwise one-way progression from sea to country to town
represents a crude simplification. Methods are available[11] for a less restrictive and
more nuanced assessment of the cumulative effect of upwind terrain variation, but the To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
approach in the NA is simple for non-specialists to apply and, in most situations, not
unduly conservative.

Stage 7 For each sector, determine the exposure factor ce

The exposure factor can be obtained from the graph of Figure NA.7, reproduced here
as Figure 5.9.

Ordinate (z − hdis ) is normally the height of the top of the building above the displacement
level, as illustrated in Figure 5.4. If the site is out of town, or if displacement is
unavailable or ignored, (z − hdis ) becomes z (height above ground). The left hand edge
of the graph applies at the shoreline and up to 100 m inland. The right hand edge of
the graph applies upwards of 100 km inland. The bottom edge of the graph applies
between ground level and 2 m above hdis.

27
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Figure 5.9
Exposure factor ce
(Figure NA.7)

Exposure factor ce accounts for the variation of wind pressure with height, together with the
upwardly propagating frictional and turbulence-inducing effect of the ground. Even near
ground level, ce is greater than 1 because gustiness is superimposed on the mean wind.

Note also, in the same figure, whether zone A or B applies. This will be used later in the
determination of size factor. If the site is in town, this zone assignment is a provisional
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
one which may be overridden at Stage 10.

The graphs used at Stages 7 and 9 are logarithmically presented, so interpolation is not
straightforward. This can be circumvented by using freely downloadable software from
RWDI[12], which delivers a combined factor ce ce,T (see Figure 9.4 of this Design Guide).

Stage 8 For each sector, determine the distance to the edge of town
(if the building is in town)
Ignore this stage and proceed to Stage 10 if the site is not in town.

For an urban site, the additional ruggedness of the upstream buildings exerts a
secondary influence on the atmospheric boundary layer, represented by the town terrain
correction factor ce,T. This always has an ameliorating effect, if any. It takes time and
distance to propagate upwards, so a tall building not far into town might gain no benefit.

28
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

The distance to the nearest edge of town can be determined from a 1:50 000 map,
air photography or otherwise. The shading used for built up areas on Ordnance Survey
maps gives a reasonable indication of the edge of town.

As with displacement, a minimum of 100 m of upwind urbanization is needed to

establish the beneficial effect of town terrain. Unlike displacement, however, it does not
rapidly decay where the urban grain is interrupted by a wide road or a square.

Parks and other extensive open spaces within town may call for judgement to be
exercised. It is always safe to treat them as country, but probably reasonable to ignore
open space whose radial extent is small relative to that of the built up areas preceding
and following it, especially if it is more than 1 km away from the site. A Park Lane address
(point A) should be treated as country (for sectors exposed to Hyde Park) whereas a
North Audley Street site (point B) would be in town (but only by 250 m). 1 km further
downwind (by Regent Street, point C) it might be judged reasonable to discount the
‘countrifying’ influence of Hyde Park. These locations can be identified on Figure 5.10.

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
Figure 5.10
Hyde Park and
Mayfair, London
Reproduced by permission of
Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.
© Crown copyright 2013.
All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey
Licence number: 100053607

Stage 9 For each sector, determine a reduction factor ce,T , to account

for town terrain
The reduction factor can be obtained from the graph of Figure NA.8, reproduced here
as Figure 5.11.

Note that symbol ≤ before the 0.1 km at bottom left of this graph is incorrect as a site
this close to the edge of town is to be treated as being in country terrain and ce,T = 1 for
the sector(s) in question.

29
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Figure 5.11
Exposure correction
factor ce,T for sites
in Town terrain
(Figure NA.8)

Stage 10 For each sector, determine a size factor zone (A, B or C)

The unshaded part of the graph, where ce,T applies, is Zone C, overriding the original zone To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

assignment from Figure NA.7. In the shaded part, where ce,T = 1, high buildings near the
edge of town retain their original (Stage 7) assignment to Zone A or B.

The freely downloadable software referred to at Stage 7 also gives the size factor zone
(in brackets); see Figure 9.4 of this Design Guide.

Stage 11 For each sector, calculate peak velocity pressure (‘non-orographic’)

The peak velocity pressure is given by:

qp = 0.613(vmap × calt × cdir)2 × ce ce,T

In this expression ce,T is 1 if the site is out of town (or not far enough into town for
Figure 5.11 to give ce,T less than 1).

30
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

The variables in the expression have been evaluated in the preceding Stages 1, 2, 4, 7 and 9
respectively. Air density, although not a constant, is treated as such in wind calculations.
The UK retains the familiar 1.226 kg/m3, differing from the value recommended in
EN 1991-1-4 (which is 1.25 kg/m3). 0.613 represents half the density of air.

With vmap entered in m/s, qp is output in Pa (N/m2).

Thus far, the peak velocity pressure has been calculated on the assumption of no
orographic influence.

Stage 12 Determine whether orography is potentially ‘significant’

A contour map covering the ground within a 5 km radius of the site may be consulted
for this purpose. If contours are difficult to discern in urban areas, Ordnance Survey
Open Data[13] may be helpful (see Figure 5.12).

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Figure 5.12
Open source contours
Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright
and database right 2013
Underlying map reproduced by
permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf
of HMSO. © Crown copyright 2013.
All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey
Licence number: 100053607

At this stage it is necessary to investigate whether orography is, or may be, ‘significant’.
The air flow is accelerated by rising ground on its approach to the building. With gentle
slopes over long distances the effect is small (and is accounted for by the altitude
factor); it becomes significant where there is local and relatively abrupt level change. To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

In an ‘orographic’ situation, the directional approach can be used to advantage. Unless

the building is set atop a conical hill, there will be sectors in which orography is not
significant. It will often be possible to declare a sector ‘non-orographic’ by inspection
and rules of thumb.

There is no need to investigate any sector within which the immediately surrounding
ground is flat, or higher than the site, over a radius of 1 km.

Even if the ground rises towards the site, an upwind slope less than 3° (0.052 radians,
1 in 20) is considered insignificant.

Since large scale orography is accounted for by the altitude factor, it may also be
judged reasonable to take co = 1 if there is equally high or higher ground on the near
horizon, continuously within the sector and close enough to shelter the site, even with a

31
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

valley intervening. ‘Close enough’ is a matter of judgement. The 8 km radius embraced

by PD 6688‑1‑4 Figure 2 gives some indication, but SCI recommends a more cautious
approach, looking for shelter within a 5 km radius (that of the SCI Wind Protractor on a
1:50 000 map).

Even where a hill or ridge is relatively steep, the building will only experience the full
effect if it is sited near the crest. At a site less than half way up the slope, or some
distance beyond the crest, the effect of orography may be ignored (see Figure 5.13).

Lu
1.6Le
The orographic
z ‘danger zone’
WIND is shaded orange

Base Level H
Φ
X
(negative)
i. Escarpment (Φ < 0.3) Le = Lu

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Lu Ld

H
Φ

ii. Gentle ridge (Φ < 0.3) Le = Lu

Lu
5H
z

H
Φ To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
X
(positive)

iii. Cliff (Φ ≥ 0.3) Le = 3.33H

1.6H

This building
is outside the
H ‘danger zone’
Φ

Figure 5.13
iv. Steep faced ridge (Φ ≥ 0.3) Le = 3.33H
Orographic zone
of influence
(a re-presentation
of Figure NA.2)

32
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

The difference between an escarpment and a ridge (or a hill treated as a ridge) is that
the latter has a downslope φd of at least 0.05 (≈ 3°). A cliff (or a steep-faced ridge) has
an upslope φ of at least 0.3 (≈ 17°).

Although the ‘half way up’ rule applies in all cases, the ‘half way down’ rule only applies
in the case of a gentle ridge. If the ground is lower on the downwind side, the ‘half way
down’ rule can be interpreted as ‘half way down to base level’.

EN 1991-1-4, 4.3.3(1) allows an orography factor less than 1.05 to be treated as

insignificant (i.e. taken as 1.0). Until an orographic calculation has been carried out,
the orography factor is unknown. So a sector identified as potentially ‘orographic’ at
this stage may, after calculation (Stage 15), be reclassified as ‘non-orographic’.

An automated calculation of orography is embodied in commercially available software

BREVe[14], which uses a geographic data base of Great Britain to take its users as far
as Stage 17 of the procedure in this Design Guide. Unfortunately, this cannot replace
judgement, as the kilometre squares of its data base are too coarse to reliably capture
and quantify orographic effect.

To summarize: orography may be judged insignificant (co taken as 1) if, throughout the
sector in question, any one of the following applies:

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
▪▪ The upstream slope is less than 3° (0.052 radians, 1 in 20). On a map with a
vertical interval of 10 m, this corresponds to 5 contours per kilometre grid square
▪▪ The site is less than half way up the upstream slope
▪▪ The site is sufficiently far downwind of the crest to escape the ‘danger zone’ shaded
in Figure 5.13
▪▪ Uninterrupted shelter is available from surrounding ground at least as high as the
site over the entire angle subtended by the sector

For any sector(s) in which orography is potentially significant, continue from Stage 13.
Otherwise go to Stage 18.

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

Stage 13 For each sector, determine the geometry of the orographic feature
Idealize the landform as either a ridge or an escarpment. Both forms are idealized with a
constant upslope with a distinct starting line from level ground (base level), followed either by
a pronounced and constant downslope (a ridge) or continuing high ground (an escarpment).

These are the only profiles recognized by the Standard. The designer must judge where
the slope begins and ends, not just its average gradient. This is simple for a cliff, but
inland slopes are commonly softened by curvature at both crest and toe, and rarely
conform to one of the idealized profiles. PD 6688-1-4 acknowledges the difficulty, and
offers in its Figure 2 an elaborate transformation procedure which involves plotting the
ground profile up to 8 km upwind.

SCI recommends instead that attention be concentrated on the immediate vicinity

of the site, where the equivalent slope should be estimated generously (i.e. as the

33
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

steepest sustained gradient on any radial line within the sector). Unless the ground
continues to fall away at a similar slope, the radius of interest need not extend further
than a kilometre or two. The base level may not be easy to define, but a search radius
of up to 4 km within the sector seems appropriate. The summit level will usually be
more obvious, but it may be safer to underestimate this if the site is part way up. If the
site lies downwind of an indistinct crest, it may be safer to underestimate the distance
X which separates them. A particularly confused landscape might demand an element
of trial and error, taking more than one idealized profile forward as far as Stage 17 in
order to be confident that the worst case has been identified.

Stage 14 For each sector, derive the orographic location factor s

Once an equivalent idealized landform has been arrived at, orographic calculation is a
relatively mechanical process.

The orographic location factor s is an intermediate parameter that is the same as in

BS 6399‑2 (though renamed from topographic location factor, and used differently).
The graphs of EN 1991‑1‑4 Figures A.2 and A.3 are less helpfully presented than
Figures 9 and 10 of BS 6399‑2, and they exclude buildings which are low relative to
the landform (z < 0.1Le ). However it is not necessary to consult the graphs, because

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
algebraic expressions (A.4) etc. are available in lieu. A simplified re-presentation of
these expressions follows.

The graphs are worth studying, nevertheless. They give a visual indication that
orographic effect is most severe for a site on the crest, or slightly downwind in the
case of a cliff or escarpment. Although orography is ignored at a site outside the
‘danger zone’ of Figure 5.13, the graphs extend well beyond these bounds. A NOTE
acknowledges that orographic consideration outside the ‘danger zone’ is ‘optional’.
In this Design Guide the presumption is that designers will accept this and other
opportunities to avoid it.

Downwind of a cliff or escarpment, the orographic ‘danger zone’ is not escaped until
X exceeds 1.5Le. This distance (equal to the greater of 5H and 1.5Lu ) could extend well To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
back from the crest. For the downwind portion of the graph, the abscissa is X/Le, as
opposed to negative X/Lu for the upwind portion.

It is also evident from the graphs that the orographic location factor s, and hence co ,
varies with z, so depends on the building as well as its ‘orographic location’. In marginal
cases, it is therefore possible for a location to be deemed ‘orographic’ for a low
building but not for a taller one, or even vice versa (if downwind of an escarpment).

For the calculation of s by means of the algebraic expressions:

z is the height of the building (or element for which the wind is being
calculated) above local ground level
H is the height of the orographic feature (hill or cliff up which the wind is
blowing), whose extent on plan is:

34
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

Lu = H/φ
Le is the greater of Lu and (with φ > 0.3) 3.33H. Le is used to represent the
scale of the landform
X is the horizontal distance between the building and the crest, in either
direction. X is negative for a site on the upslope, zero at the crest and
positive beyond it.

Ld need only be evaluated if:

i. the upwind slope is gentle (φ < 0.3)
ii. there is a pronounced downwind slope (φd > 0.05) and
iii. the building is actually located behind the crest, on that downslope.

If all these circumstances apply, the downslope is idealized as a constant slope whose
extent on plan:

Ld = H/φd if the downslope extends down to (or beyond) base level;

proportionately less if it does not.

For a tall building on a relatively trivial hill,

If z > 2Le , the situation is deemed ‘non-orographic’ (s = 0)

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
For a site on the crest (of any orographic feature),

s =A (not to be confused with altitude)

= 0.1552(z/Le )4 − 0.8575(z/Le )3 + 1.8133(z/Le )2 − 1.9115(z/Le ) + 1.0124

For a site on the upslope (more than half way up),

s = Ae(BX/Lu )

in which A is defined above, and

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

B = 0.3542(z/Le )2 − 1.0577(z/Le ) + 2.6456

For a site on the downslope of a hill or ridge,

s = Ae(BX/Ld )

in which A is defined above, and

B = − 0.3056(z/Le )2 + 1.0212(z/Le ) − 1.7637

For a site downwind of a cliff or escarpment,

s = A [Log(X/Le )]2 + B Log(X/Le ) + C

35
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

in which (not as above)

A = −1.342 [Log(z/Le )]3 − 0.8222 [Log(z/Le )]2 + 0.4609 Log(z/Le ) − 0.0791

B = −1.0196 [Log(z/Le )]3 − 0.891[Log(z/Le )]2 + 0.5343 Log(z/Le ) − 0.1156

C = 0.803 [Log(z/Le )]3 + 0.4236[Log(z/Le )]2 − 0.5738 Log(z/Le ) + 0.1606

unless z < 0.1Le in which case (z/Le ) is taken as 0.1

[whence Log(z/Le ) = −1, A = −0.0202, B = −0.5213, C = 0.355]

or X < 0.1Le in which case calculate for (X/Le ) = 0.1, calculate again for a site on the
crest (topmost expression above), and interpolate.

Stage 15 For each sector, calculate the orography factor co

The orography factor is given by:

For slopes up to φ = 0.3

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
co = 1 + 2sφ

For slopes φ > 0.3 (i.e. a cliff)

co = 1 + 0.6s

At this stage any sector with an orography factor less than 1.05 may be reclassified as
‘non-orographic’. In this event, skip Stages 16 and 17 for the sector(s) in question.

For completeness, it should be mentioned that an orography factor could also apply
where wind ‘funnels’ into a valley whose sides are steep and convergent. There are no

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

design rules in the Standard to derive an appropriate co (nor, for that matter, to quantify
the beneficial sheltering effect in sectors not aligned with the valley). If a sector in line
with the valley seems liable to govern, specialist advice may be called for.

Stage 16 For each sector, recalculate the altitude factor for the orographic base level
The altitude factor is recalculated using the same expression as at Stage 2,
substituting a lower altitude, that of the foot of the hill or cliff, but still using the same
value of zs. The foot of the hill is the base level of the idealized slope assumed at
Stage 13. This altitude is liable to vary from sector to sector.

The recalculated, smaller, ‘orographic’ altitude factor calt (o) will apply in conjunction with
an orography factor co greater than 1. In practice, this means 1.05 and above, as lesser
values will have been eliminated at Stage 15. Whenever co is taken as 1, the original calt
from Stage 2 applies.

36
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

Stage 17 For each sector, calculate the ‘orographic’ peak velocity pressure for
comparison with the ‘non-orographic’ qp from Stage 11
The ‘orographic’ peak velocity pressure is given by:

qp (o) = qp [(calt (o) /calt )(co + 0.6)/1.6]2

It is possible for the reduction factor (calt (o)/calt )2 to outweigh the magnification factor
[(co + 0.6)/1.6]2, with the perverse effect that the orographic calculation produces a less
onerous result.

Take the larger of the ‘non-orographic’ value (from Stage 11) and the ‘orographic’ value
from this stage for the calculation of forces and surface pressures.

5.4 Calculation of overall force

Stage 18 For each sector, determine the size factor cs

This may be obtained from Table 5.1 for the size factor zone (A, B or C) assigned at Stage 10.

Table 5.1 is based on Table NA.3 but has been rearranged zone by zone for ease of interpolation.

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Size factors will depend upon the purpose of the wind calculation. For calculation of overall
wind action for frame design, b and h mean, as usual, the breadth (cross-wind dimension)
and height of the building as a whole.

For a typical rectangular building, size (b + h) will differ from one principal direction
to another. It is customary, and conservative, to take b as measured face-on for the
nearest principal direction, though nothing in the NA would rule out a projected breadth
(between diagonally opposite corners, as in Figure 10 of the PD) for a non-orthogonal
sector. Other directional influences, potentially leading to variations in size factor
between sectors, are zoning and displacement.

Strictly speaking, a size factor established for the building as a whole is only valid for
the calculation of base shear and overturning moment. Calculation of the corresponding To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

effects part way up a multi-storey building would theoretically call for a slightly larger
size factor based on a smaller (b + h). As a numerical example, consider a building 50 m
high and 20 m wide in Zone B, without displacement. Table 5.1 gives a size factor of 0.9
for this building as a whole. But if brace member forces 30 m up the building are under
investigation, only wind on the top 20 m is responsible for these effects. (b + h) becomes
40 m and the size factor increases slightly to 0.92. In practice, unless the building is
exceptionally tall, it is normally considered reasonable to overlook this complication and
use the same storey forces throughout the frame design.

For portal framed buildings the usual design assumption is that lateral wind is resisted
independently by each frame. For a typical (intermediate) frame, b can be taken as
twice the bay width. (Stressed skin action, given suitable sheeting and attachments,

37
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

Zone A

b+h ( z − hdis )
m ≤6m 10 m 30 m 50 m 200 m
≤5 1 1 1 1 1
10 0.95 0.95 0.96 0.97 0.98
20 0.93 0.93 0.95 0.95 0.96
30 0.91 0.92 0.94 0.94 0.96
40 0.9 0.91 0.93 0.93 0.95
50 0.89 0.9 0.92 0.92 0.94
70 0.87 0.88 0.9 0.91 0.93
100 0.85 0.86 0.89 0.9 0.92
150 0.83 0.84 0.87 0.88 0.9
200 0.81 0.83 0.85 0.86 0.89
300 0.79 0.8 0.83 0.84 0.87

Zone B

b+h ( z − hdis )
m ≤6m 10 m 30 m 50 m 200 m

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
≤5 1 1 1 1 1
10 0.94 0.95 0.96 0.96 0.97
20 0.91 0.92 0.94 0.95 0.96
30 0.89 0.91 0.93 0.93 0.95
40 0.88 0.89 0.91 0.92 0.94
50 0.86 0.88 0.9 0.91 0.94
70 0.84 0.86 0.89 0.9 0.92
100 0.82 0.84 0.87 0.88 0.91
150 0.8 0.82 0.85 0.86 0.89
200 0.78 0.8 0.83 0.84 0.88
300 0.75 0.77 0.8 0.82 0.85

Zone C
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

b+h ( z − hdis )
m ≤6m 10 m 30 m 50 m 200 m
≤5 1 1 1 1 1
10 0.88 0.9 0.93 0.94 0.97
20 0.84 0.87 0.9 0.92 0.95
30 0.81 0.84 0.88 0.9 0.93
40 0.79 0.82 0.86 0.88 0.92
50 0.77 0.8 0.85 0.87 0.91
70 0.74 0.77 0.83 0.85 0.9
100 0.71 0.74 0.8 0.82 0.88
150 0.67 0.71 0.77 0.79 0.85
200 0.65 0.69 0.74 0.77 0.83
Table 5.1
300 0.62 0.65 0.71 0.73 0.8
Size factor cs

38
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

could justify a larger dimension, but it would then become necessary to consider
eccentric application; see Section 5.5.3.) For a portal frame whose span exceeds its
height, with roof pressures predominant, the loaded area should be viewed on plan,
taking (b + h) in the size factor table as (span + 2 × bay width).

For a long building subdivided by movement joints, (b + h) is assessed for each

structurally independent portion.

For the calculation of wind effects on an isolated element such as an external

column, (b + h) represents the sum of the length and breadth of the element under
consideration. For calculations of the effects of surface pressure on roof beams,
cladding rails and the like, (b + h) depends on the loaded area; see Section 6.1.2.

Stage 19 For each principal direction, determine the dynamic factor cd

Not all buildings need to be treated as ‘dynamic’. According to the NA (NOTE 4 to
Figure NA.9) the dynamic factor cd may be taken as 1 for buildings not exceeding 20 m
in height with structural walls around lifts and stairs and ‘additional masonry internal
walls’. A few steel framed buildings may qualify for this exemption.

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
SCI recommends that all normal fully clad steel buildings up to 15 m in height may be
considered non-dynamic, in view of the not inconsiderable stiffness offered by typical
cladding and curtain wall systems. This concession could be extended to normal fully
clad buildings up to 20 m in height whose lateral dimensions exceed 4h.

Other steel framed buildings up to 20 m in height, unless furnished with both structural
and masonry walls, will have to be assessed as dynamic, along with all buildings over 20 m.

For steel framed buildings in the ‘dynamic’ category, the dynamic factor cd may be
obtained from Table 5.2.

The dynamic factor depends on building proportions (h/b), so typically differs between
the two principal directions of a rectangular building. A rectangular building is assigned
a higher cd with its narrow side to the wind than broadside on, which may seem To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

counter-intuitive. It accounts for the slightly greater concentration of gust power over
the smaller frontal area, and does not reflect any directional variation in the excitability
of the structure as such.

For a long building subdivided by movement joints, b is the breadth exposed to the
wind for each structurally independent portion. cd may be taken as 1 for directions in
which the portion is sheltered from the incident wind by another.

In EN 1991‑1‑4, damping is expressed as the logarithmic decrement of structural

damping, δs , and informative Annex F suggests a value of 0.05 for typical steel
buildings and 0.08 for ‘mixed structures concrete + steel’ which can be interpreted as
composite construction and/or steel frame around a concrete core. Table 5.2 gives
tables for both these values, prepared on the same basis as Figure NA.9.

39
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

δs = 0.05
h h/b h/b h/b h/b h/b h/b
m 10 5 2 1 0.5 0.25
10 1.149 1.118 1.079 1.054 1.036 1.020
20 1.164 1.126 1.076 1.046 1.024 1.009
30 1.177 1.135 1.078 1.044 1.020 1.011
40 1.189 1.144 1.081 1.043 1.023 1.013
50 1.199 1.152 1.084 1.046 1.027 1.016
60 1.208 1.159 1.087 1.052 1.030 1.018
70 1.215 1.165 1.095 1.057 1.033 1.020
80 1.222 1.172 1.102 1.062 1.037 1.022
90 1.232 1.183 1.109 1.067 1.039 1.023
100 1.243 1.192 1.116 1.071 1.042 1.025

δs = 0.08
h h/b h/b h/b h/b h/b h/b
m 10 5 2 1 0.5 0.25
10 1.111 1.089 1.058 1.039 1.022 1.009
20 1.113 1.087 1.050 1.027 1.010 1.005

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
30 1.118 1.089 1.047 1.022 1.012 1.007
40 1.123 1.092 1.047 1.025 1.014 1.008
50 1.128 1.095 1.049 1.029 1.017 1.010
60 1.133 1.098 1.055 1.032 1.019 1.011
70 1.137 1.105 1.060 1.036 1.021 1.012
80 1.145 1.112 1.065 1.039 1.023 1.013
Table 5.2
90 1.153 1.119 1.070 1.042 1.025 1.015
Dynamic factor cd for
δs = 0.05 and 0.08 100 1.161 1.126 1.074 1.045 1.026 1.016

Table 5.2, like the graphs in the NA, is based on simplifying assumptions which are
reasonable for mildly dynamic buildings within the scope of this Design Guide. The NA
suggests that more accurate values could be calculated from Expression (6.3) and
Annex B of the Standard. However non-specialist designers are recommended to avoid
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
the complexities of this approach by using Table 5.2.

Stage 20 Consolidate sectors into 90° quadrants centred on the faces of a building
At this stage, with all directional influences accounted for, it is opportune to consolidate
smaller sectors into 90° quadrants centred on the faces of a building that is rectangular
or treated as such.

If the sector orientation was chosen to suit the building, the quadrant and sector boundaries
will align. With each quadrant comprising three sectors of 30°, the greatest of three
values of qpcscd (or qp(o)cscd) is taken. If the alignment is not exact, the quadrant will
encompass four 30° sectors; it will then be necessary to take the greatest of four values.

The size and dynamic factors both depend on b, so (unless the building happens to be
square) sectors which straddle a quadrant boundary have to be subdivided to calculate

40
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

a different qpcscd for each quadrant’s sub-sector. If tempted to avoid this complication
by consolidating into face-centred quadrants prior to Stage 18, bear in mind that a size
factor which is to be on the safe side for the quadrant as a whole must be based on the
lowest displacement [highest (z − hdis)] and ‘lowest’ zone [A, B or C] from all the sectors
wholly or partly embraced by that quadrant.

The following stages continue with the calculation of overall lateral force by means
of a force coefficient.

Force coefficients are simple to apply but there is a less direct alternative route to overall
design actions. Traditional vectorial summation of surface pressures is a valid alternative
in all cases except where h > 5d, and can take account of surfaces which are inclined
to the wind. For a multi-storey building, a force coefficient from Table 5.3 will generally
be advantageous. However the pressure coefficient approach is appropriate for a low
building with a pitched roof generating a significant portion of the wind action.

If calculating overall wind force by means of vectorial summation, exit the procedure at
this stage. Turn to Section 6, but return to Stages 22/23 in case friction is significant.

Stage 21 Calculate the force acting on the building, quadrant by quadrant

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
The wind force is given by:

Fw = qp cs cd × cf × A

In this formula, cf is a force coefficient, obtained either from Table 5.3 (which is derived
from the NA) or from EN 1991-1-4, 7.6. A is normally the shadow area Ash, which is bh if
the roof is flat.

The NA presents its users with force coefficients (for cuboid buildings of height up to 5d)
under the guise of ‘net pressure’ coefficients in NA.2.27 f. This type of ‘net pressure’
coefficient is nearly but not quite the same as a force coefficient, mainly because it is
subject to reduction by the lack-of-correlation factor noted in EN 1991-1-4, 7.2.2(3) (cloc

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

in Table 6.2 of this Design Guide). The other difference is that net pressure coefficients
never include friction whereas force coefficients may or may not allow for it.

A true force coefficient can be derived as the product of the ‘net pressure’ coefficient
from the NA and the lack-of-correlation factor. This friction-exclusive force coefficient is
presented in Table 5.3.

Table 5.3 contains sufficient rows to allow linear interpolation between them, but if
preferred the formulae are:

For h/d between 0.25 and 1,

cf = 0.935 + 0.1839 Ln(h/d)

For h/d between 1 and 5,

cf = [0.8125 + 0.0375h/d][1.1 + 0.1243 Ln(h/d)]

41
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

For h/d > 5, force coefficients are to be found in EN 1991-1-4, 7.6. These are derived for
‘elements’ but may be used for buildings. Indeed there is no alternative, other than the
wind tunnel, as Table 7.1 of the Standard does not extend beyond h/d = 5. (Such slender
buildings are in a minority and are not considered in detail in this Design Guide, but
see Section 8.)

It is less clear whether EN 1991-1-4, 7.6 force coefficients were intended to be

available below h/d = 5 alongside other approaches (Table 5.3 of this Design Guide or
vectorial summation). The Standard does not explicitly rule in, but nor does it rule out
the use of the ‘element’ coefficients with h/d ≤ 5. An acute influence of plan proportions
may be observed in EN 1991-1-4 Figure 7.23, so it is inevitable that there will be some
mismatch with Table 5.3 force coefficients which depend only on h/d. In most cases the
latter will be advantageous, as well as simpler to use.

EN 1991-1-4 Figure 7.23 coefficients (cf,0 for members without free-end flow) need to
be reduced by end effect factor ψλ (from EN 1991-1-4 Figure 7.36) when used on
buildings. They may be further reduced by ψr (from EN 1991-1-4 Figure 7.24) if the
building has rounded corners and is square (or nearly square).

For the simple example of a square building with h = 5d = 5b, the force coefficient of 1.46

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
obtained using EN 1991-1-4, 7.6 compares with 1.3 given in Table 5.3 of this Design Guide.
However, a corner radius of 0.05b or greater could make the EN 1991-1-4, 7.6 approach attractive.

Force coefficient cf
h/d (friction excluded)
>5 Use EN 1991-1-4 Figures 7.23 and 7.36
5 1.3
4 1.23
3 1.15
2.5 1.1
2 1.05
1.5 1 To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
1.2 0.96
1 0.94
0.9 0.92
0.8 0.89
0.7 0.87
0.6 0.84
0.5 0.81
0.4 0.77

Table 5.3 0.35 0.74

Force coefficients for 0.3 0.71
cuboid buildings of
≤ 0.25 0.68
height up to 5d
If friction is not small enough to be ignored (see Stage 22), it must be calculated (Stage 23) and added.

42
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

For cylindrical and (regular) polygonal buildings, EN 1991-1-4, 7.9 and 7.8 respectively
may be used. Note that for polygonal buildings b is defined as the diameter of the
enclosing circle (as illustrated in EN 1991-1-4 Figure 7.26), which can make A
(in the expression for Fw) somewhat larger than the shadow area.

In end effect calculations, a warning is in order: NA.2.44 states that EN 1991‑1‑4 Table 7.16
‘should not be used’, and stipulates different λ values in Table NA.10. For a regular
(prismatic) building, this will give λ = 4h/(bcf,0 ), and the line for ϕ = 1 on the graph in
EN 1991-1-4 Figure 7.36 will be appropriate.

Stage 22 Consider whether friction is significant

In each principal direction, apply the test from EN 1991-1-4, 5.3(4): is the total area
of surfaces parallel with the wind less than four times the total area of surfaces
perpendicular to it?

For a cuboid building, this can be re-expressed as: is swept area d(b + 2h) less than
eight times shadow area bh?

If so, friction may be ignored. Proceed to Stage 24.

For surfaces which are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the wind, some judgement

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
is called for. As recognized in the Standard, swept area need not be truly parallel to
generate friction, but the ‘small angle’ referred to is not defined. SCI suggests that
surfaces within 20° of the wind direction should count as swept. It is obviously safer to
err on the generous side in the quantification of swept area.

The effect of this dispensation in practice is that friction will only need to be evaluated
for shed-type buildings (and only in their long directions) but these exceptional cases
need to be recognized.

In principle, friction may also be ignored if the force coefficient already allows for it. In
practice, it is unlikely that friction-inclusive force coefficients would be used for the type
of building whose friction is deemed significant according to the test above.
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
There is no compulsion to ignore friction. Voluntary submission to Stage 23 might be
considered for (e.g.) a low building with a standing seam roof that is highly frictional
in one direction.

Stage 23 Calculate the frictional force Ffr (where significant)

The frictional force is given by:

Ffr = cfr qp Afr

in which qp(o) may substitute for qp in an orographic situation.

Afr is the frictional area. Observe that Afr is less than the full swept area. As illustrated
in EN 1991-1-4, Figure 7.22, friction is not considered to act on a zone of detachment
nearest the upwind end, whose horizontal extent is the smaller of 2b and 4h.

43
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE

It may be worthy of remark that EN 1991‑1‑4 does not apply size and dynamic
factors to friction, if this is calculated separately (whereas friction included in a force
coefficient will be subject to these factors).

The coefficient cfr (prescribed normatively in EN 1991‑1‑4 Table 7.10) varies between 0.01
for a smooth surface and 0.04 for one which is ribbed, corrugated or has standing
seams across the direction of flow. For ribs or corrugations in line with the flow, the profile
geometry could be considered to increase the area of smooth surface at cfr = 0.01.

It is advisable to keep separate account of friction at walls and roof, so that any
difference in the smoothness of the roof and wall surfaces can be allowed for and
horizontal bracing design forces can be correctly evaluated.

Stage 24 For each quadrant, calculate the overall force

The overall lateral wind force on the building is the sum of Fw and Ffr from Stages 21
and 23 respectively.

If friction was deemed insignificant at Stage 22 (or included in the force coefficient) the
overall wind force is simply taken as Fw.

The same symbol, Fw, is used for the resultant wind force and its (majority) non-frictional

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
component. This may arise from the presumption, noted in EN 1991‑1‑4, 7.1.1(4),
that force coefficients include friction ‘if not specifically excluded’. The ambiguity is
one to be aware of, as friction is not always included and can be significant. Note in
particular that the recommended force coefficients in Table 5.3 of this Design Guide
are friction-exclusive.

Stage 25 For each of two orthogonal directions (e.g. N-S and E-W),
quote the overall force as a ± value
Stage 25 is optional. The four quadrants can be further consolidated into two
orthogonal directions, for each of which the wind force is quoted as a ± value, the
greater of the two opposite quadrants. This is appropriate if the lateral force resisting
system will have the same resistance in opposite directions. With unsymmetrical To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

bracing patterns it can be advantageous to retain the four lateral forces from Stage 24
and verify separately for each.

At the conclusion of the procedure a reminder may be in order: these forces are
characteristic. Design forces are obtained by factoring characteristic values as
discussed in Section 7.

5.5 Application of lateral wind force to the building

5.5.1 Apportionment by level

The overall wind force, calculated using the force coefficient, gives the base shear
that the steel frame or its bracing system must be designed to resist. It is customary

44
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

to make the somewhat sweeping assumption that the force is uniformly distributed
among the storeys and the overturning moment is equal to the base shear times half
the height. For irregular storey height, the force is apportioned pro rata to tributary
area. If ‘division by parts’ (permitted, but not encouraged; see Section 6.4) were used,
storey forces would vary and the moment would turn out somewhat greater than Fh/2.

In reality, storey forces vary in a more complex manner than ‘division by parts’ (as
illustrated in EN 1991-1-4 Figure 7.4) would predict; the gradual increase in front face
pressure with height is not replicated at the rear and the topmost stories benefit from
easing due to the end effect. In practice these complexities, and the size effect differential
mentioned at Stage 18, are rarely explored, but they may be borne in mind when
downsizing columns and other members of the bracing system at intermediate levels.

5.5.2 Interacting bracing systems

Conventionally, the wind forces from the two orthogonal directions are designed
against independently. However, orthogonal bracing systems may have columns
in common. If so, an intermediate wind direction could govern the design of these
members and their connection to the ground. As a simple example, the design force
in the leg of a square lattice tower (whose wind force is similar in all directions) is

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
40% greater with wind on the diagonal than face-on. It is clearly not sufficient, in a
member which participates in resisting wind from both principal directions, to consider
them to act singly. In this tower leg example, application of 70% of each principal
direction’s wind force in combination would be equivalent in effect to the wind at 45°.
In a less symmetrical structure, 70% may not be enough, but 80% (as suggested in
PD 6688‑1‑4, 2.9) might be over-conservative. Alternatively, but tediously, directional
coefficients (Table 4 of the PD) might be employed to calculate, for 15° increments of
wind direction, a resultant force (generally neither concentric nor in line with the wind).

5.5.3 Eccentric application

Maximum lateral force, applied centrally, represents the most onerous design situation
if lateral resistance is widely dispersed, but this is not always the case. With lateral To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

resistance concentrated (e.g. in a single central core) an off-centre application of part

of the force, causing a twisting effect, could represent a more demanding design
situation than a centrally applied force. NA.2.23, countermanding EN 1991‑1‑4 Figure 7.1,
prescribes, in effect, that 65% of the design wind force applied at a horizontal
eccentricity of b/6 should be considered as an alternative to 100% applied centrally.
SCI recommends that this provision need not be applied to a portal framed shed-type
building for which the size factor was based on no more than two bay widths.

45
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

SURFACE PRESSURES

The force coefficient approach, generating overall wind forces directly, has been given
precedence in this Design Guide because it will be advantageous to use force coefficients
from Table 5.3 of this Guide for the structural design of most buildings. A force coefficient
should, in principle, generate a more accurate – and smaller – design force for this purpose
than the alternative vectorial summation of surface pressures.

Vectorial summation (calculation of pressure, and hence force, on all contributory

wall and roof surfaces and adding their horizontal components in the wind direction,
together with friction where significant) is familiar to users of BS 6399-2. It remains
appropriate for buildings whose pitched roofs generate a significant portion of the

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
wind action, notably portal frames. For most other buildings, vectorial summation has
not been ruled out but is unlikely to be as productive as the force coefficient approach
described in Section 5 (Stage 21) – even if the building is tall enough for ‘division by
parts’ as illustrated in EN 1991-1-4 Figure 7.4 and discussed in Section 6.4. (For very
slender buildings with h > 5d, vectorial summation is, in effect, ruled out, because of
the validity limitation noted under Table 6.1.)

Although the Standard embraces a variety of roof shapes, the buildings under them
are generally assumed to be rectangular. This is not always the case in practice. For
irregular outlines and setbacks, designers may turn to the PD for NCCI, which is based
on pressure coefficients and vectorial summation.

Irrespective of the approach taken to calculate the overall wind action, it will always be
necessary to evaluate surface pressures, both external and internal, for purposes such To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

as the design of cladding and the members which support it.

In principle, pressures acting on a surface are calculated as:

w = qp cs cd × cp

in which cp is the relevant pressure coefficient (cpe for an external surface, cpi for
internal). Velocity pressure qp is as calculated in Stage 11, but substituted by qp(o) from
Stage 17 if higher.

For an overall force calculation, the procedure described in Section 5 should be followed
to Stage 20 at which the highest value of qp cs cd from all the sectors wholly or partially
included within a quadrant 45° either side of the direction normal to the face is taken.

47
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
SURFACE PRESSURES

For local pressure calculations, cs and cd will differ from those used in the overall force
calculation (see Sections 6.1.2, 6.2.3 and 6.3.1). In a local pressure calculation, cd will
usually be taken as 1 and cs may conservatively be taken as 1.

6.1 External pressure coefficients

All of the external pressure coefficients (cpe) in EN 1991‑1‑4, 7.2 are now identified for
national determination, and virtually all of the Recommended Values (except those for
domes) are substituted by nationally determined values in the 2010 revision of the NA.
The Standard offers two pressure coefficients, one for loaded areas of 1 m2 and below
and a lower one for loaded areas of 10 m2 and above, with logarithmic interpolation
between the two. The NA sets the 1 m2 values equal to the 10 m2 values – effectively
a declaration that size effect is adequately accounted for by size factor alone. For
buildings in the UK there is, in fact, only one set of external pressure coefficients
(though it should be noted that for some surface zones ‘most positive’ and ‘most
negative’ values are given).

Table 6.1, which is an expanded version of Table NA.4, gives pressure coefficients for
the walls of rectangular-plan buildings.

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
For roof pressure coefficients, reference should be made to Tables NA.5, 6, 7 and 8.
Many variations of roof shape and eaves treatment are covered in the NA. These include
vaulted (barrel) and domed roof surfaces, for which reference should be made to NA.2.29.

e /2

E
I
h e /10

F
H C
G
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
F
B
e /4 D

WIN e /5
D e

d
b

Zone extent parameter e is the smaller of b and 2h

Figure 6.1
Note that a downstream zone will not exist if the building comes to an end within its predecessor
Key to pressure zones
for a cuboid building

48
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

SIDE ZONES FRONT REAR

h/d
A B C D E
−0.7 5
−0.65 4
+0.8 −0.6 3
−0.55 2
−0.5 1
−1.2 −0.8 −0.5 +0.77 −0.45 0.8
+0.75 −0.39 0.6
+0.73 −0.37 0.5
Table 6.1 +0.72 −0.34 0.4
Wall pressure
+0.71 −0.31 0.3
coefficients for a
rectangular building +0.7 −0.3 ≤0.25
Note: No pressure coefficients are available for h/d > 5, except that for cladding pressure (only)
NA.2.27 permits use of the values for h/d = 5 ‘in the absence of better test data’.

Zones are defined in Figure 6.1 for the walls of all rectangular buildings (for use
with Table 6.1, or Table NA.4), and for a flat roof (for use with Table NA.5). For eaves
variations and pitched or hipped roofs, subdivisions or additional zones are introduced,
for which key diagrams in one document (EN 1991-1-4 Figures 7.6 onwards) must be

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
referred to alongside the Tables in another (the NA).

For vaulted and domed roofs, zone designations A, B and C are differently redefined in
EN 1991-1-4 Figures 7.11 and 12. These should not be confused with wall Zones A, B
and C, nor with size factor zones, nor with one another.

6.1.1 Lack of correlation

A NOTE to EN 1991-1-4, 7.2.2(3) prescribes a factor to account for lack of correlation
between peak front and rear face pressures on buildings. In this Design Guide the symbol
cloc is used for this factor, which is set out in Table 6.2. It is slenderness dependent; only
relatively stocky buildings receive the full benefit, and the most slender do not benefit at
all. (In contrast, BS 6399‑2 permitted a
h/d cloc To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
factor of 0.85 regardless.)
≥5 1 NA.2.19 makes it clear that cloc applies to
4 0.96 the horizontal component of wind action
on a sloping roof, as well as the front and
3 0.93
rear walls. It is not applicable to the
Table 6.2
2 0.89 vertical component, so designers of
Factor cloc for
lack of correlation portal frames may judge it expedient to
≥1 0.85
(Source: EN 1991‑1‑4, 7.2.2(3) NOTE) apply cloc to the wall pressures only.

6.1.2 Size and dynamic factors

In principle, the effects of external pressure are subject to both size factor cs and
dynamic factor cd and these will depend on the effect being designed against.

49
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
SURFACE PRESSURES

Overall lateral forces, however derived, are factored by cscd, as described in Section 5
(Stages 18 and 19). These factors are based on the overall dimensions of the building
(irrespective of any ‘division by parts’).

Size and dynamic factors thus obtained are inappropriate for more local calculations
such as for a member which supports cladding. The size factor is always based on the
dimensions of the area whose wind increases the effect being designed against.

For a member such as a roof beam, (b + h) in Table 5.1 is the sum of the length and
width of the area whose incident wind adds to its bending moment. Note that this loaded
area is not the same as tributary area. It will often be convenient to regard it as the area
which would become unsupported in the absence of the member or connection under
design, but any area whose wind counters the effect in question needs to be excluded.

Normally, cd is taken as 1 for local pressure calculations. In principle, however, any

portion of structure which is dynamic enough to need one should have its own cd,
estimated from first principles. A stadium roof might be a case in point.

6.2 Internal pressure

Internal pressure can usually be ignored in the calculation of overall lateral forces, as

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
pressures on opposite faces balance out. This is convenient because internal pressure
can vary over a considerable range from positive to negative, depending on the
permeability of the faces (relative to one another) and their external pressures.

Overall lateral design forces can, however, come under the influence of internal pressure
where a long building is subdivided by one or more movement joints into structurally
independent portions, or where the ground level differs between opposite faces.

Evaluation of internal pressure is also important in a roof uplift situation, with

maximum positive internal pressure countered by unfactored self weight. In another
design situation, negative internal pressure might combine unfavourably with gravity
loading and/or positive external pressure.
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
EN 1991-1-4, 7.2.9(6) notes that in the absence of a dominant opening the internal
pressure coefficient (cpi ) may be taken as the more onerous of +0.2 and −0.3.

6.2.1 Portal frames

For portal frame design, there is an economic imperative to quantify internal wind
pressure more precisely. Positive internal pressure is unfavourable for rafters and
connections in the wind uplift design situation. Since the surface area exposed
to negative external pressure will usually be much greater than that exposed to
positive, a calculation based on EN 1991‑1‑4, 7.2.9(6) should be able to justify
an internal pressure coefficient well into the negative, unless the windward wall is
disproportionately permeable. With all faces equally permeable, the windward face
would have to exceed 19% of the total surface area for the internal pressure coefficient
to be less negative than −0.2.

50
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

For buildings in which all faces are not equally permeable, the ‘balance of airflow’
method (Appendix C of SCI Publication P286[15]) remains valid.

6.2.2 Dominant openings

A dominant opening (such as an open door or broken window) would upset any such
sensitive calculation, as internal pressure can attain 75 to 90% of that outside the
opening. If it is necessary to allow for it, an unintentional dominant opening should be
treated as an accidental design situation with reduced partial factors; see Section 7.3
of this Design Guide. PD 6688‑1‑4, 2.15 suggests a more cautious approach in some
cases (a fire station appliance bay or a military hangar, perhaps).

EN 1991-1-4, 7.2.9(4) defines as ‘dominant’ a face in which dominant opening(s)

plus regular leakage exceed twice the area of regular leakage in the other faces.
In an otherwise well sealed building, any open door, or even window, is liable to
create a dominant face. EN 1991-1-4, 7.2.9(5) prescribes how cpi is to be interpolated
between 0.75cpe and (with three times more area in the dominant face) 0.9cpe, in which
cpe is the external pressure coefficient at the location of the dominant opening.

For a dominant opening on a windward face, EN 1991-1-4, 7.2.9(7) implies that

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
internal pressure may be based on a reduced peak velocity pressure qp, recalculated
with z to the top of the door or window at risk.

6.2.3 Size and dynamic factors

It is clear from EN 1991-1-4 Expression (5.6) that size (and dynamic) factors are not
intended to apply to the effects of internal pressure. This is contrary to traditional UK
practice, but there is no provision for national choice.

6.3 Pressures for cladding design

For cladding design purposes, the worst case will typically be the combination of high
local suction externally with maximum internal pressure. It may also be necessary to To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

evaluate the combination of positive external pressure with maximum internal suction,
but this is unlikely to be as severe (numerically at least).

It would be legitimate to recalculate the wind with altitude factor based on zs for the
topmost panels, but simpler to retain qp (or qp(o) ) as previously calculated for structural
design purposes with z = h and zs = 0.6h.

It would not be legitimate (except for positive pressure on the windward face) to
recalculate the wind for z lower than the top of the building. On the three walls subject
to suction, NA.2.26 requires the pressure distribution to be assumed to be uniform
over the whole height, rejecting any notion (in the NOTE to EN 1991-1-4, 7.2.2) that an
individual project might define its own rules. In practice, cladding is usually made the
same at all levels and designed for the highest pressure.

51
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
SURFACE PRESSURES

6.3.1 Size and dynamic factors

For a cladding panel in the UK, the dynamic factor cd does not apply. The NA (in NOTE 4
to Figure NA.9) grants an exemption for all cladding panels and elements, despite a
suggestion in EN 1991‑1‑4, 6.2(1)b that a cladding panel whose natural frequency is
less that 5 Hz ought to be treated as dynamic.

For a cladding panel, (b + h) for size factor purposes is the sum of the breadth and
height of the panel. Large panels (whose dimensions add up to more than 5 m) would
qualify for cs < 1 (for the external pressure only), but it is always safe to ignore size
effect and take cs = 1.

The same applies to non-panelized cladding systems. In principle size factors could
be calculated, individually, for any members of the cladding system that support large
areas of facade or roof.

The size factor is always based on (b + h) equal to the sum of the sides of the notionally
(if not actually) rectangular area whose incident wind is additive to the effect being
designed against.

It follows that if there is a cantilever (which would be subtractive) its area needs to be

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
excluded when the midspan bending resistance of the member is verified. A different
size factor would apply for verification of the cantilever itself, and potentially yet
another for an attachment to the building frame (at which both areas are additive). All
such complication is avoided by taking cs = 1.

6.3.2 Funnelling
A point to watch for in relation to cladding design is the possibility of increased suctions
on side faces where wind is funnelled between buildings (see notes under Table NA.4).
The effect is at its worst when the gap between the buildings is 0.5e, where e is the zone
extent parameter (see Figure 6.1) for the smaller of the two buildings.

6.3.3 Orographic situations

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
Another potential complication is that in some orographic situations it is possible for
the peak velocity pressure to be higher part way up than at the top. A high building
on a (relatively) low hill or cliff can rise above the most intense orographic effect, as
indicated in EN 1991‑1‑4 Figure A.1. This is one situation in which qp(o) for the top of the
building might be on the unsafe side for cladding verification.

6.3.4 Corner suctions

Cladding design is commonly governed by high local suctions near corners. If the
corners are not square, the Zone A pressure coefficient of −1.2 is unduly onerous.
Reductions are offered by the PD in its Table 5, but note that these apply to its
immediately preceding Table 4 in which the most negative value of cpe is −1.3, not −1.2
as in Table NA.4 (and Table 6.1 of this Design Guide).

52
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

6.4 Division by parts

‘Division by parts’ is the traditional practice of calculating velocity pressure separately
for successive ‘slices’ of the building, to take account of the variation of wind speed
with height. While this is appropriate and advantageous for essentially linear structures
such as masts and chimneys, the flow around buildings is different; it is only for
positive pressure on the front face that the method is considered to be valid. For the
entire rear face, and the sides, pressures must always be based on velocity pressure
qp as calculated for the top of the building. This stipulation reduces the advantage
gained in return for considerable extra computational effort in recalculating qp for
the top of every part, taking account of differences in altitude factor, exposure (or
roughness) factor and town terrain correction factor. Except for buildings of two distinct
parts, such as a tower block on a podium (see PD 6688-1-4, 3.3), division by parts is
not encouraged in this Design Guide. Simple and direct use of force coefficients from
Table 5.3 is likely to give lower values.

Comparative example
Take for example a 90 m high building, 30 m square, located 20 km from the shoreline

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
and 2 km into a town for which vmap is 22.5 m/s. This calculation is for the sector
in which cdir = 1 and displacement is taken as zero. Altitude factor variation will be
avoided by assuming a site close to sea level so that calt ≈ 1 regardless of height.

Force coefficient approach

At the top of the building, cece,T = 3.9 and qp = 1210 Pa.

With a force coefficient of 1.15 (from Table 5.3 for h/d = 3), base shear is:

1.15 × 1.21 × 30 × 90 = 3.76 MN

and overturning moment is:

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
3.76 × 90/2 = 169 MNm

Both these effects are subject to cs = 0.88 and cd = 1.13, but it happens that the two
factors cancel one another out in this example.

Division by parts and vectorial summation of surface pressure

Alternatively, consider the building divided into five parts, in accordance with
EN 1991‑1‑4, 7.2.2(1). Pressure coefficients are +0.8 and −0.65 for Zones D and E
respectively (from Table 6.1 of this Design Guide for h/d = 3).

For Part 1, the top 30 m, qp = 1210 Pa as before.

Front face force is 0.8 × 1.21 × 30 × 30 = 871 kN, acting 75 m above ground.

53
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
SURFACE PRESSURES

For Part 2, a 10 m slice, z = 60 m. ce ce,T = 3.67 and qp = 1139 Pa.

Front face force is 0.8 × 1.14 × 30 × 10 = 273 kN, acting 55 m above ground.

For Part 3, a 10 m slice, z = 50 m. ce ce,T = 3.54 and qp = 1098 Pa.

Front face force is 0.8 × 1.1 × 30 × 10 = 264 kN, acting 45 m above ground.

For Part 4, a 10 m slice, z = 40 m. ce ce,T = 3.38 and qp = 1049 Pa.

Front face force is 0.8 × 1.05 × 30 × 10 = 252 kN, acting 35 m above ground.

For Part 5, the bottom 30 m, z = 30 m. ce ce,T = 3.15 and qp = 977 Pa.

Front face force is 0.8 × 0.98 × 30 × 30 = 704 kN, acting 15 m above ground.

The front face forces from the parts and their contributions to the overturning moment
add up to 2.36 MN and 112 MNm.

The rear face force is 0.6 × 1.21 × 30 × 90 = 1.96 MN

and its overturning moment is 1.96 × 90/2 = 88 MNm.

Combining the front and rear faces and applying cloc of 0.93 (from Table 6.2 for h/d = 3)
gives an overall base shear of 4 MN and an overturning moment of 186 MNm. Size
and dynamic factors (based on whole building dimensions, not those of the parts) are
as above and do not influence the comparison.

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Conclusion
In this fairly realistic numerical example, division by parts has failed to reward the
designer for the computational effort expended. Indeed it has yielded results 6% and
10% higher than those obtained using the force coefficient from Table 5.3.

6.5 Multispan roofs

For ‘multispan’ roofs (with multiple ridges and valleys) special rules apply.

EN 1991-1-4 Figure 7.10 illustrates various multiple ridge-and-valley roof types,

including the repeated duopitch of the typical multibay portal frame as well as the
classic north light factory roof. Pressure coefficients are related to those for zones H To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
and I of EN 1991-1-4 Table 7.4 or 7.3 as appropriate, except that for configuration b
(north light roof with wind from the south) a pressure coefficient of −0.4 applies
to every valley face. Valleys with the same pressure acting on both sides make no
contribution to the vectorial summation, regardless of their number.

The possibility that vectorial summation might result in a horizontal component which
is unrealistically small in relation to the roof area was recognized in the 2010 revision
to the Standard. Consequently, EN 1991-1-4, 7.2.7(4) dictates a ‘minimum horizontal
force’ – which may be given the symbol Fshed – of 0.05qp Ashed in which Ashed is the entire
plan area of the multispan roof. The quasi-friction coefficient of 0.05 is described as a
‘roughness factor’, not to be confused with (terrain) roughness factor cr.

54
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

Presumably Fshed can be assumed to act at ridge height, to replace regular friction on the
upwards-facing friction area (though regular wall friction may still be significant) and to be
subject, along with the force from front and rear walls, to lack-of-correlation factor cloc.

55
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute

56
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

DESIGN VALUES OF
WIND ACTIONS

This Section is not a comprehensive review of its subject, but aims to draw attention to
differences in the Eurocodes from traditional UK practice.

7.1 Classification
EN 1990 provides for actions to be classed as:

▪▪ Permanent or variable
▪▪ Direct or indirect
▪▪ Fixed or free
▪▪ Static or dynamic

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Wind actions are classified in EN 1991-1-4, 3.3(1) as variable fixed actions, ‘unless
otherwise specified’. They are free in the sense that the wind can blow from any
direction, but conventionally ‘fixed’ in orthogonal directions for structural analysis and
verification. Likewise they are nothing if not dynamic, but are conventionally treated as
quasi-static, with dynamic amplification factors. Most wind actions are ‘direct’,
but internal pressure in a fully enclosed building is regarded as ‘indirect’.

In EN 1990’s terms, nearly all wind design situations are ‘persistent’ (relevant
over the lifetime of the structure) not ‘transient’. An example of a transient design
situation would be verification of an unclad frame for a limited period in the course of
construction (as discussed in Appendix B). The distinction is a subtle one, however, as
persistent and transient design situations are factored alike in the NA to BS EN 1990[16] To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
Table NA.A1.2(B) etc.

7.2 Partial factors on actions

The result of an evaluation in accordance with EN 1991 is a characteristic value.
Design values of actions are obtained by multiplying characteristic values by partial
factors and combination factors as appropriate.

Partial factors on actions are obtained from EN 1990 and its National Annex.

In a design situation in which wind force is the leading variable action, as for instance
in an overturning calculation, the partial factor γQ is 1.5. The same factor applies to
leading variable actions of all kinds.

57
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
DESIGN VALUES OF
WIND ACTIONS

In previous UK practice, a factor of 1.4 would have been applied to the wind force.
In consequence, design overturning moments are increased 7% over previous values
whereas the gravity loads which counter them are little changed. In verification for
static equilibrium (‘EQU’), the countering (favourable) gravity loads are multiplied by
a partial factor γG of 0.9; for strength design (‘STR’) they are factored by γG,inf = 1. For
example, to verify that a gravity base does not lift off the ground the ‘EQU’ limit state
applies; the ‘STR’ limit state would apply to the column and its holding down bolts.

It has been suggested that the 7% increase might be viewed as an unofficial margin
versus future climate change, an uncertainty the Standard does not address.

A lower overall factor applies to wind forces in combinations in which they are
the accompanying variable action, as for instance in the calculation of maximum
compressive force in a column which participates in a bracing system. Wind force is
subject to a combination factor ψ0 = 0.5, making an overall factor (γQψ0) = 0.75. There
is no ULS combination from which wind is excluded; unfavourably directed wind will
contribute in some measure to the ultimate design compressive force in the column.

The value of combination factor ψ0 = 0.5 for wind is a UK national choice, lower than
EN 1990 Table A1.1’s Recommended Value (which is 0.6), but in harmony with the

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Recommended Value for snow (up to an altitude of 1000 m).

It should be noted that equivalent horizontal loads (EN 1993‑1‑1,[17] 5.3.2) are not
independent variable actions; they can be regarded as an inclination of the gravity
loads and are factored as such. They can act in any direction, along with the wind.

Only actions that can apply simultaneously need to be considered in combination.

On a roof, imposed load can normally be assumed absent when full design wind (or
snow) acts. It is highly improbable that snow on an unobstructed roof could coexist with
full design wind, but the combination of snow and wind might need to be considered
where wind-blown snow can be redeposited at a valley, parapet or wall. For purlin
design, the effect of most positive external pressure together with most negative

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

internal would act in combination with that of snow. Wind and snow in turn would each
be considered as the ‘leading’ (or ‘main accompanying’) variable action.

External and internal wind pressures are non-independent variable actions and
therefore share a common factor even when countering one another (as where reliably
negative internal pressure opposes high local suction outside).

7.3 Accidental design situations

EN 1991‑1‑4, 2(4) envisages certain circumstances (unintentional dominant openings)
in which it is appropriate to treat wind action as ‘accidental’; EN 1990 A1.3.2, which
prescribes the partial factors and combination factors to be used in accidental design
situations, would apply. In an accidental design situation, the accidental action is
unfactored. Any coexistent permanent action (e.g. roof self weight) would also be

58
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

unfactored. Any main, or single, accompanying variable action would be subject to

combination factor ψ1 given by Table NA.A1.1 of the UK NA to EN 1990 (e.g. 0.2 for
snow). It is unlikely that more than one accompanying variable action would combine
unfavourably with accidental wind.

7.4 Fatigue limit state

Wind resisting structures can be subject to fatigue, but buildings within the scope
of this Design Guide are generally regarded as non-susceptible. Specialist advice is
recommended where external elements may be at risk.

59
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

TALL AND UNUSUAL

STRUCTURES

This Design Guide is for the majority of buildings in the UK which do not require
specialist wind engineering expertise. However, it may be helpful to discuss the
circumstances in which specialist advice can be beneficial.

Wind tunnel testing is all but obligatory for the very highest towers. Indeed buildings
over 200 m in height exceed the applicability limit declared in Clause 1.1 of the
Standard. For many other tall buildings an investment in such testing is expected to
yield a dividend in the form of lower design actions, superior serviceability performance
and more accurate pressure predictions for cladding and mechanical design. It is
not possible to declare that buildings above a certain height (say 100 or 120 m)

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
would benefit; slenderness is at least equally important and specialist referral should
be considered for a building whose height exceeds 5 or 6 times its lesser lateral
dimension. A building whose fundamental frequency is liable to be below average
(say n1 < 46/h, where fundamental frequency n1 is in Hz with height h in metres) would
also be a candidate. Building shape is another relevant factor. A 3-dimensional mode
of vibration, involving twisting, could demand study, as could a location with complex
surrounding terrain or potential interference from other tall structures.

Studies of ‘environmental’ wind at

street level can also be undertaken
in the wind tunnel.

Properly conceived and executed

wind tunnel studies can give To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

confidence in serviceability
performance, and allow
optimization of shape to minimize
synchronized vortex shedding.
Figure 8.1
Wind tunnel testing Although irregular architectural
Courtesy of BMT Fluid Mechanics outlines and changes of cross
section can be challenging, their aerodynamic effect can be turned to advantage in this
respect. Even without wind tunnel testing, an experienced wind engineer may be able
to propose variations in building outline to reduce wind action and its adverse effects.

Wind forces derived from project-specific wind tunnel testing will almost always be
lower than those predicted by standardized rules, giving potential for savings.

61
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute

62
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

DESIGN EXAMPLE

9.1 Wind on a building (Sheffield Bioincubator)

The example building is Sheffield University’s Bioincubator[18], located just over
100 m above sea level at 53°22’54”N/1°29’W, SK345873. The situation, on a bluff
overlooking the city centre and the Don valley, looks potentially ‘orographic’.

The Sheffield Bioincubator, shown in Figure 9.1, was the subject of trans-national
Eurocode design comparisons under the auspices of the Leonardo da Vinci
programme[19]. A conventional six storey office/laboratory building, steel framed with
composite floors, it is rectangular on plan but for one inset corner with an isolated

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
21 m high column as an architectural feature. Overall dimensions are 29 × 20 × 27 m
high. The wind will be evaluated for the enclosing cuboid without regard for setbacks at
roof level and the inset corner. As the height does not exceed 50 m, the NA’s simpler
treatment is valid, whether or not orography is significant.

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

Figure 9.1
Sheffield Bioincubator
from the south

63
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
DESIGN EXAMPLE

This example uses the SCI Wind Calculation Sheet (Appendix C), which is designed
for twelve 30° sectors oriented to suit a rectangular building. Each group of
three sectors corresponds to a quadrant centred on a face of the building. The
procedure of Section 5 is followed to arrive at the overall wind forces acting on the
building. Numerical results are summarized in Figure 9.2, with orographic influence
distinguished by the use of orange print.

For the purposes of this example, calculation results are presented for all sectors. In
practice, an experienced designer would probably save effort by reviewing the results
at Stage 11 and thereafter confining attention to sectors S9, S10 and S11.

Stage 1
From the wind map (Figure 5.1), Sheffield’s map wind speed vmap = 22.1 m/s

Stage 2
For a 27 m high building at an altitude of 105 m, Altitude factor

calt = 1 + 0.001A[10/(0.6 h)]0.2

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
= 1 + 0.001 × 105 [10/(0.6 × 27)]0.2

= 1.095, say 1.1

Stage 3
The building faces are oriented almost exactly N, S, E and W and sectors can be laid
out to suit: sector S1 between 315° and 345°, S2 between 345° and 015°, S3
between 015° and 045°, and so on. At a later stage each group of three sectors will
be consolidated into a face-centred quadrant, such that quadrant Q1 = [S1 + S2 + S3],
Q2 = [S4 + S5 + S6], and so on.
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
Stage 4
Direction factor cdir is obtained from Figure 5.3 of this Design Guide. For 30° sectors
the value may be read on the centreline of the sector.

cdir = 0.82 for S1, 0.78 for S2, and so on.

Stage 5
This is an urban site and it should be possible to take advantage of displacement.
However, sectors S1, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 face a wide dual carriageway and a large
roundabout with low density development beyond. It seems prudent not to count on
Figure 9.2 (Opposite)
SCI Wind Calculation Sheet for
any displacement effect from these directions, despite the presence of some quite high
Sheffield Bioincubator buildings in the middle distance (see Figure 9.3).

64
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
SCI Wind Calculation Sheet
Sheffield Bioincubator (SK345873; 53°22’54”N / 1°29’W)
1 Map wind speed vmap 22.1 m/s

Height of building h 27 m

Site altitude A 105 m

2 Altitude factor calt 1.1

Quadrant number Quadrant 1 Quadrant 2 Quadrant 3 Quadrant 4

Sector number S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12

3 Sector orientation 315 345 015 045 075 105 135 165 195 225 255 285 315 °

4 Directional factor cdir 0.82 0.78 0.73 0.73 0.74 0.73 0.8 0.85 0.93 1 0.99 0.91

Displacement height
5 0 10 10 10 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 m
(if any) hdis

z − hdis (= h − hdis ) 27 17 17 17 17 17 17 27 27 27 27 27 m

6 Distance to shoreline 100 100 100 90 100 100 100 100 100 100 85 100 km

7 Exposure factor ce 2.98 2.67 2.67 2.68 2.67 2.67 2.67 2.98 2.98 2.98 2.99 2.98

8 Distance into town 4 5 4 5 5 2 3 4 4 2 2 3 km

9 Correction factor ce,T 0.94 0.88 0.89 0.88 0.88 0.93 0.91 0.94 0.94 0.98 0.98 0.96

10 Zone for size factor C C C C C C C C C C C C

11 qp = 0.613(vmap × calt × cdir ) × cece,T

2 682 518 459 455 466 479 563 733 878 1058 1040 858 Pa

12 Potentially significant orography?            

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Upwind slope of hill Φ 0.055
13
Altitude at foot of hill 45 m

14 Orography location factor s 0.966

15 Orography factor co 1.11

16 calt(o) for foot of hill 1.04

Orographic
17 465 Pa
qp(o) = qp × [(calt(o) /calt) × (co + 0.6)/1.6]2
Breadth of building b 29 20 29 20 m

b+h 56 47 56 47 m

18 Size factor cs 0.84 0.81 0.81 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.81 0.84 0.84 0.85 0.85 0.85

Damping δs Assume 0.08

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

h/b 0.93 1.35 0.93 1.35

19 Dynamic factor cd 1.02 1.03 1.02 1.03

qp(or qp(o) ) cscd 584 428 379 393 394 405 465 628 752 926 911 751 Pa

20 Ditto, by quadrant 0.584 0.405 0.752 0.926 kPa

Depth of building d 20 29 20 29 m

h/d 1.35 0.93 1.35 0.93

21 Force coefficient cf 0.98 0.92 0.98 0.92

Shadow area Ash

783 540 783 540 m2
(= bh for cuboid)
22 Significant friction?    

23 If so, Ffr = qp (or qp(o)) cfrAfr - - - - kN

Overall wind force = qp (or qp(o) )

24 448 201 577 460 kN
cscd cf Ash + Ffr (if any)
Higher of Q1/Q3 577 kN
25
Higher of Q2/Q4 460 kN
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
DESIGN EXAMPLE

Sectors S2 to 7 inclusive face the city centre with relatively uninterrupted coverage by
buildings whose average height is estimated to exceed 12 m. For these sectors,
displacement height hdis is taken as 0.8have = 10 m. Check: this does not exceed 0.6h = 16.2 m.

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Note that this assessment is based on conditions at the time the Bioincubator was
designed. No account is taken of subsequent developments, on both sides of the road
to the west of the building, which can be observed on more recent satellite imagery.

Stage 6
Placing the SCI wind protractor on a 1:1 000 000 map of northern England, as in
Figure 5.6, it can be seen that Sheffield is over 100 km from the sea in all but two
sectors. S4 includes the Humber estuary and S11 includes the Mersey at Runcorn.

Although the Humber is a wide estuary as far inland as Goole, from a Sheffield
perspective it is reasonable to judge (with the authority of BRE Digest 436) that the

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

S4 shoreline is 90 km distant at Immingham.

It might equally be argued that the wind has travelled as far over the Wirral as over the
Mersey, but if a cautious view is taken the S11 shoreline is 85 km away at Runcorn.

Stage 7
Exposure factor ce can be read from Figure NA.7 (Figure 5.9 of this Design Guide).
For all sectors except S4 (90 km) and S11 (85 km), the right hand edge of the graph
(100+ km) is used.

However ordinate (z − hdis ) will vary. This overall wind action calculation is for z = h = 27 m.

In S1, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, with zero displacement, (z − hdis ) = 27 m. In the remaining
sectors, with 10 m displacement, (z − hdis ) = 17 m.

ce varies between 2.67 and 2.99.

66
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

67
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

In practice, instead of consulting the graphs, it is convenient to use freely

downloadable software: www.rwdi.com/encalculator_program

Note that the input ‘effective height’ means (z − hdis ). The zone for size factor purposes
(Stage 10) is given in brackets. Beware that symbol ce is misapplied to the product of ce
and ce,T, though the presentation makes this fairly obvious. See Figure 9.4 for an example.

The cr and Iv outputs are not relevant to the simpler (exposure factor) procedure of
this example; they are for the more elaborate (roughness factor) treatment outlined
in Appendix A.

Stage 8
Placing the SCI wind protractor on the 1:50 000 map of Sheffield allows the distance
to the nearest edge of town within each sector to be measured. For emphasis, the
edge of town has been outlined in Figure 9.5. Embedded open spaces greater than
1 km in radial extent have also been outlined. It seems reasonable to overlook smaller
embedded open spaces.

Sheffield is entwined with its surrounding landscape and rich in embedded open space,
so it provides a challenging example. Where open space is penetrating, it is always To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
safe, but not always reasonable, to measure to its closest point. BRE Digest 436 offers
some guidelines.

Minimum distances to edge of town, some of which probably err on the safe side,
have been estimated for each sector. They vary between 2 km and 5 km.

Stage 9
Figure 9.5 (Opposite) The town terrain correction factor ce,T is read from Figure NA.8 (Figure 5.11 of this
Edge of town outlined Design Guide). Its value varies between 0.88 and 0.98.
on 1:50 000 map
of Sheffield (at 60%)
Reproduced by permission of
Stage 10
Ordnance Survey on behalf of
HMSO. © Crown copyright 2013. The zone for size factor purposes, obtained from Figures NA.7/8 (Figures 5.9 and 5.11
All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey
Licence number: 100053607 of this Design Guide), is C for all sectors.

68
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

Stage 11
The peak ‘non-orographic’ velocity pressure is:

qp = 0.613(vmap calt cdir )2 × ce ce,T

which ranges between 455 Pa (S4) and 1058 Pa (S10).

Stage 12
The slope between the site and the Don valley exceeds 0.05 (10 contours to the
kilometre on the Ordnance Survey 1:50 000 map) so the situation appears potentially
‘orographic’ over a number of sectors. However if a wider view is taken, the site is
almost completely embraced by high ground. In Figure 9.6, the 100 m contour (the
closest to site altitude) has been outlined. S4, facing directly down the valley, is clearly
at risk from orographic effect. From other directions, with the partial exception of S5,
equally high or higher ground protects the site. The wind will merely be regaining
velocity lost on descent and the altitude factor will suffice. S5 also sees high ground on
the horizon, but as this is around 10 km away (in the northernmost part of the sector) it
seems prudent not to rely on it for protection.

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Within the unsheltered northernmost part of S5, the radial distance to the valley floor
is remeasured, more obliquely than in S4, and estimated at 1.4 km. This reduces the
average slope to φ ≈ (105 − 40)/1400 = 0.046, which is less than 0.052. So sector S5
can be deemed ‘non-orographic’ by virtue of the ‘3° rule’ of EN 1991-1-4, 4.3.3(2).

Calculations to examine the effect of orography (in Stages 13 to 17) can now be
confined to S4.

Stage 13
Having identified S4 as a potentially ‘orographic’ sector, it is necessary to postulate

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

an equivalent idealized landform profile, to the pattern of EN 1991‑1‑4 Figure A.2’s
escarpment or Figure A.3’s ridge. Although there are other directions for which the site
would be classed as a ridge, it is an escarpment from the perspective of S4. In this
example, the distinction is not important because the building will be assumed to be
on the crest (i.e. X = 0). The valley floor (altitude 45 m) provides a reasonably distinct
base level at a distance of 1.1 km approx.

On this basis φ = (105 − 45)/1100 = 0.055 and Lu = Le = 1100 m.

Figure 9.6 (Opposite)
Surrounding ground Stage 14
above 100 m outlined
on the map
Reproduced by permission of
z/Le = 27/1100
Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.
© Crown copyright 2013.
All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey
Licence number: 100053607 = 0.025 which is below the graph of EN 1991‑1‑4 Figure A.2.

70
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

The expression in Section 5 (Stage 14) will therefore be evaluated:

s =A

= 0.1552(0.025)4 − 0.8575(0.025)3 + 1.8133(0.025)2 − 1.9115(0.025) + 1.0124

= 0.966

Stage 15
From EN 1991-1-4 Expression (A.3), for φ < 0.3,

co = 1 + 2sφ = 1 + 2 × 0.966 × 0.055 = 1.11

This exceeds 1.05, confirming that the sector is indeed orographic.

Stage 16
Altitude factor must be recalculated for the assumed base level of the orographic

For a 27 m high building with an orographic base altitude of 45 m,

‘Orographic’ altitude factor

calt(o) = 1 + 0.001A[10/(0.6h)]0.2

= 1 + 0.001 × 45 [10/(0.6 × 27)]0.2

= 1.04

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

Stage 17
‘Orographic’ velocity pressure

qp(o) = qp [(calt(o) /calt )(co + 0.6)/1.6]2

= 455 [(1.04/1.1)(1.11 + 0.6)/1.6]2

= 455 × 1.021 = 465 Pa

> 455

72
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

Orography has increased the wind pressure in sector S4 but only by 2%. Even with
orography, S4 is one of the least onerous sectors.

Stage 18
Size factors will be based on face dimensions.

For Quadrants 1 and 3 (S1 to 3, S7 to 9) b = 29 m and (b + h) = 56 m

For Quadrants 2 and 4 (S4 to 6, S10 to 12) b = 20 m and (b + h) = 47 m

In Stage 10 it was established that size factor Zone C applies in all sectors. However
displacement can and does vary between sectors.

From Table 5.1 of this Design Guide (or Table NA.3), size factor cs is found to vary
between 0.81 and 0.85.

Stage 19
Dynamic factor cd will be based on an assumed logarithmic decrement of structural

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
damping δs = 0.08, a typical value for composite (‘mixed structures concrete + steel’)
buildings according to Table F.2 of EN 1991‑1‑4 informative Annex F. Different dynamic
factors will apply for the N-S direction (Q1/Q3) for which b = 29 m and the E-W direction
(Q2/Q4) for which b = 20 m.

From Table 5.2 of this Design Guide, cd = 1.02 (broadside on) and 1.03 (narrow side to the wind).

Stage 20
At this stage the sectors are consolidated into quadrants. For each quadrant the
highest value of qpcscd (or qp(o)cscd ) in any of its three constituent sectors is retained.
It turns out that orography has not influenced the result.

Stage 21
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
The wind force (excluding friction) is qpcscd × cf × Ash.

Different force coefficients cf will apply in the N-S direction (Q1/Q3) for which
h/d = 1.35 and the E-W direction (Q2/Q4) for which h/d = 0.93. In both directions
h/d < 5 so Table 5.3 of this Design Guide is valid.

cf = 0.98 and 0.92 respectively. For this cuboid building Ash = bh, the relevant face area.

Stage 22
The Bioincubator’s proportions are such that an experienced designer might exclude
friction by inspection. For this cuboid building, friction may be neglected if swept area
is less than eight times shadow area.

73
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
DESIGN EXAMPLE

Applying this with wind narrow side on, swept area:

Asw = d(b + 2h) = 29(20 + 2 × 27) = 2146 m2

8Ash = 8bh = 8 × 20 × 27 = 4320 > 2146

Stage 23
The calculation of friction is not required in this example.

Stage 24
In principle the force from Stage 21 is now increased by frictional force Ffr from
Stage 23. In this example there is no friction to add because it is deemed insignificant.

The largest quadrant force is 577 kN in Q3, acting in a northerly direction. Q4 generated
more intense pressure but narrow side on, resulting in a force of 460 kN acting eastwards.
In both cases the forces in the opposite direction are appreciably smaller (indeed the
westward force from easterly wind in Q2 is less than half of that vice versa in Q4).

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Stage 25
With some bracing configurations the designer may be able to take advantage of
different wind forces in opposite directions, but if not the results may simply be
presented as ±577 kN N-S and ±460 kN E-W. These are characteristic values and will
need to be factored appropriately for the design situations.

9.2 Some comparisons

For comparison, Figure 9.7 presents the same calculation for four quadrants instead of
twelve sectors, with a 2% penalty in the N-S direction and less than 1% penalty in the
E-W direction.

Figure 9.8 summarizes the non-directional approach, with orography as for sector S4, To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

zero displacement, shoreline at 85 km and edge of town at 2 km producing results

respectively 23% and 2% higher than the original calculation.

Figure 9.7 (Opposite) qp(o) = 0.613(22.1 × 1.04)2 × 2.99 × 0.98 × 1.14 = 1081 Pa, 1.08 kPa
SCI Wind calculation
vmap calt(o) ce ce,T [(c0 + 0.6)/1.6]2
sheet for Sheffield
Bioincubator –
in quadrants F = 1.08 × 0.84 × 1.02 × 0.98 × 783 = 710 kN N-S
= 1.08 × 0.85 × 1.03 × 0.92 × 540 = 470 kN E-W
qp(o) cs cd cf Ash
Figure 9.8 (Right)
Summary non-directional
calculation for Figures in orange are ‘orographic’ values
Sheffield Bioincubator

74
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
SCI Wind Calculation Sheet (for quadrants)
Sheffield Bioincubator (SK345873; 53°22’54”N / 1°29’W)
1 Map wind speed vmap 22.1 m/s

Height of building h 27 m

Site altitude A 105 m

2 Altitude factor calt 1.1

Quadrant number Quadrant 1 Quadrant 2 Quadrant 3 Quadrant 4

3 Sector orientation 315 045 135 225 315 °

4 Directional factor cdir 0.82 0.74 0.93 1

Displacement height
5 0 10 0 0 m
(if any) hdis

z − hdis (= h − hdis ) 27 17 27 27 m

6 Distance to shoreline 100 90 100 85 km

7 Exposure factor ce 2.98 2.68 2.98 2.99

8 Distance into town 4 2 3 2 km

9 Correction factor ce,T 0.94 0.93 0.96 0.98

10 Zone for size factor C C C C

11 qp = 0.613(vmap × calt × cdir ) × cece,T

2 682 494 896 1062 Pa
Potentially significant
12    
orography?
Upwind slope of hill Φ 0.055

14 Orography location factor s

15 Orography factor co 1.11

16 calt(o) for foot of hill 1.04

Orographic
17 504 Pa
qp(o) = qp × [(calt(o) /calt) × (co + 0.6)/1.6]2
Breadth of building b 29 20 29 20 m

b+h 56 47 56 47 m

18 Size factor cs 0.84 0.82 0.84 0.85

Damping δs 0.08

h/b 0.93 1.35 0.93 1.35

19 Dynamic factor cd 1.02 1.03 1.02 1.03 To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

584 426 768 930 Pa

20 qp(or qp(o) ) × cs × cd
0.58 0.43 0.77 0.93 kPa

Depth of building d 20 29 20 29 m

h/d 1.35 0.93 1.35 0.93

21 Force coefficient cf 0.98 0.92 0.98 0.92

Shadow area Ash

783 540 783 540 m2
(= bh for cuboid)
22 Significant friction?    

23 If so, Ffr = qp (or qp(o) ) cfrAfr - - - - kN

Overall wind force = qp (or qp(o) )

24 448 212 589 462 kN
cscd cf Ash + Ffr (if any)
Higher of Q1/Q3 589 kN
25
Higher of Q2/Q4 462 kN

75
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
DESIGN EXAMPLE

In this case, the advantage of a directional approach is clear, though evaluation for four
quadrants happens to be almost as productive as for twelve sectors. It would, however,
be unwise to generalize from one example.

9.3 Wind on an element (the external column)

The 21 m high, 406 mm diameter external column (seen in Figure 9.1) is an example
of an individual ‘element’ for which a separate wind calculation might be undertaken.
However, lateral wind force on this column can safely be evaluated using the same
peak dynamic pressure as calculated in Stage 11 (or 17) for the building as a whole.
Sectors from which the column is sheltered by the bulk of the building (S1 and S12)
can be disregarded. From Figure 9.2, the largest value is qp = 1058 Pa in S10.

Size factor is reassessed as 0.89, for (b + h) ≈ 21 m. It would be inappropriate to apply

the dynamic factor from Stage 19, but this is not to say that a slender isolated column
is immune from dynamic effect. Indeed, as an element which could be vulnerable to
vortex-induced vibration (see Section 4.2), it is a candidate for specialist advice.

With no end effect, a force coefficient for the circular section can be obtained directly
from EN 1991-1-4 Figure 7.28. For practical purposes, Reynolds Number dependence

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
and sensitivity to surface smoothness can be circumvented by taking cf,0 = 1.2.

Wind force per unit length (ignoring the ‘pencil’ ends, and any dynamic magnification)
may therefore be evaluated as:

qp cs cf,0 × diameter of CHS column

= 1058 × 0.89 × 1.2 × 0.406

= 459 N/m, 0.46 kN/m

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

This is a characteristic (unfactored) value.

Alternatively, a slightly lower dynamic pressure could be obtained in return for a repeat
wind calculation for z = 21 m (the height of the top of the element), with zs = 12.6 m
(60% of the height of the element) in the altitude factor formula. (Note that for a
horizontal element zs would be taken at mid-height, as shown in EN 1991-1-4 Figure 6.1.)

76
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

77
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

CLADDING DESIGN
EXAMPLE

This example is a continuation from Section 9, to derive pressures for cladding

specification purposes. It is assumed that the same facade design will be maintained
for all faces and all levels of the building, rooftop plant room excepted. The object of
this exercise is therefore to identify the numerically highest pressures acting outwards
and inwards. These pressures will be based on qp (or qp(o)) as previously calculated for
the top of the building. This is convenient but it is also what NA.2.26 requires for the
rear and side faces subject to negative pressure. It would be permissible for the positive
pressure on the windward face to be recalculated for a slightly lesser height z (to top of
topmost panel) and a slightly reduced altitude factor (based on zs = mid-height of topmost
panel, as opposed to 0.6h). However it would be complicated, perhaps needlessly so,

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
to evaluate a slightly different ‘inwards-acting’ qp for cladding design. It will be safe, and
less error-prone, to retain the value from Stage 11 (or Stage 17, in a sector where
orography had generated a higher qp(o)).

10.1 Velocity pressure for cladding design

The highest qp (or qp(o)) from Stage 11 (or 17) is 1058 Pa. If all cladding panels are to be
designed for the same pressure, there is no need to differentiate between faces.

10.2 Size and dynamic factor for cladding

Neither size nor dynamic factor will be applied in this pressure calculation for cladding
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
design purposes.

For (b + h) ≤ 5 m, cs = 1. Therefore no size factor benefit would apply to a panel of dimensions

such as 4 × 1 or 3 × 2 m. Larger panels could qualify for a size factor less than 1, but it is
simple and conservative to take cs = 1 for cladding design purposes. This assumption avoids
any need to consider how the panels are supported and deduct cantilever area.

The dynamic factor for a cladding panel will normally also be taken as 1 (as noted
under Figure NA.9).

10.3 External pressure coefficients

For vertical and near-vertical walls of rectangular plan buildings, pressure coefficients
are given in Table 6.1.

79
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
CLADDING DESIGN EXAMPLE

The most negative coefficient is −1.2 (in Zone A, the high local region of the side wall).
The most positive is +0.8, for h > d.

10.4 Internal pressure coefficients

For a multi-storey building cpi is commonly taken as the more onerous of +0.2 and −0.3,
with the probability of a dominant opening in a severe storm considered negligible.
In principle, the actual value of cpi could be estimated by balancing the inward and outward
flow through the various faces, as described in Section 6.2.1. The flow balance is sensitive
to assumptions of (relative) permeability and to variations in build quality, so designers
may judge it prudent to retain +0.2 /−0.3 in preference to a more refined calculation.

10.5 Pressure for cladding specification

In this example, it is considered reasonable to take the ‘default’ internal pressure
coefficient of +0.2 in combination with an external pressure coefficient of −1.2,
giving a net outwards pressure of 1.4qp. The net inwards pressure, similarly, is 1.1qp
resulting from coefficients of −0.3 internal and +0.8 external.

Cladding design should be based on a characteristic pressure of 1.4 × 1058 = 1481 Pa,

If the panels are not equally resistant in the other direction, the facade designer
may take advantage of a lower inwards characteristic pressure of 1.1 × 1058 = 1164 Pa,
say 1.16 kPa.

For strength verification of a cladding panel, wind is generally the only significant
design action and a partial factor of γQ = 1.5 will be applied to these characteristic
values to give the design value of wind pressure.

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

80
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

81
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

REFERENCES

[1] BS EN 1991-1-4:2005+A1:2010. [10] BRE Digest 436, Part 1.

Eurocode 1: Actions on structures. Wind loading on buildings. Brief guidance for
Part 1-4: General actions – Wind actions. using BS 6399-2:1997.
BSI, 2011. BRE, 1999.

[2] NA to BS EN 1991-1-4+A1:2010. [11] COOK, N. J.

UK National Annex to Eurocode 1 – Actions on The designer’s guide to wind loading of building
structures. Part 1-4: General actions – Wind actions. structures. Part 1: Background, damage survey,
BSI, 2011. wind data and structural classification. Part 2:
Static structures.
[3] PD 6688-1-4:2009.
Butterworth Scientific, 1985.
Background information to the National Annex to
BS EN 1991-1-4 and additional guidance. [12] Program ENcalculator.
BSI, 2009. Available from: www.rwdi.com/encalculator_program

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
[4] BS 6399-2:1997. [13] Ordnance Survey OpenData.
Loading for buildings. Available from: www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/
Code of practice for wind loads. opendatadownload/products.html
BSI (superseded). [14] Program BREVe.
[5] BS EN 1991-1-3:2003. Available for purchase from CSC(UK):
Eurocode 1 – Actions on structures. www.cscworld.com/Products/Fastrak/
Part 1-3: General actions – Snow loads. Fastrak-BREVe.aspx
BSI, 2004. [15] BAILEY, C. G.
[6] BS EN 1990: 2000 + A1:2005. Guide to evaluating design wind loads to
Eurocode: Basis of Structural Design. BS 6399-2:1997 (P286).
BSI, 2006. SCI, 2003.
[7] BS EN 1993-1-11. [16] NA to BS EN 1990:2002+A1:2005.
Eurocode 3 – Design of steel structures. UK National Annex to Eurocode: Basis of
Part 1-11: Design of structures with structural design.
tension components. BSI, 2009. To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
BSI, 2006. [17] BS EN 1993-1-1:2005.
[8] Report on the Calibration of Eurocode for wind Eurocode 3 – Design of steel structures.
loading (BS EN 1991-1-4) and its UK National Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings.
Annex against the current UK wind code Including corrigenda Feb 2006, Apr 2009.
(BS 6399: Part 2). BSI, 2010.
DCLG, 2007. [18] www.shef.ac.uk/bioincubator
Downloadable from: http://webarchive.
[19] http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-
nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121108165944/
programme/doc82_en.htm
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/
planningandbuilding/calibrationeurocodewind [20] BLACKMORE, P.
BRE Digest SD5. Wind loads on unclad structures.
[9] NA Figures in CSV format.
BRE, 2004.
Downloadable from: www.istructe.org/resources-
centre/technical-topic-areas/codes-and- [21] BS EN 1991-1-6:2005.
standards/uk-wind-national-annex Eurocode 1 – Actions on structures.
General actions – Actions during execution.
BSI, 2005.

83
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
REFERENCES

[22] British Constructional Steelwork Association.

Guide to Steel Erection in Windy Conditions.
BCSA, 2005.

[23] NA to BS EN 1991-1-6:2005.
UK National Annex to Eurocode 1: Actions on
structures. Part 1-6: General actions – actions
during execution.
BSI, 2008.

Credits
Cover Snowhill Building, 77 Heron Tower,
Birmingham London

xii Bishopsgate,
London

7 Fenchurch Street,
London

12 Heron Tower,
London

15 More 7, London
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

56 The Shard,
London

60 Snowhill Building,
Birmingham

67 St Botolph Building,
London

84
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

85
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

Appendix A:
THE MORE ELABORATE
TREATMENT

This is the procedure represented by the lowest two boxes of the flowcharts given in
Figures A.NA.1 and A.NA.2 of the NA. It is referred to in this Design Guide as the ‘more
elaborate treatment’ and is obligatory for buildings more than 50 m high in ‘orographic’
situations. The procedure is placed in this appendix because readers may prefer not to
engage with it until commissioned to design such a building.

The more elaborate treatment is universally applicable. In the absence of significant

orography, with co = 1, it should give the same result as the simpler treatment of
Section 5. All sectors, whether or not they prove to be ‘orographic’ can be evaluated
using the more elaborate treatment.

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Exposure factors play no part in the more elaborate treatment. Figures NA.7 and 8
(Figure 5.9 and Figure 5.11 of this Design Guide) are consulted but only for the
purpose of zone assignment. Instead, Figures NA.3, 4, 5 and 6, and ‘roughness’
factors, are relevant. Roughness factors replace exposure factors but they are not
directly equivalent. They apply to velocity, not velocity pressure, and the velocity they
apply to is the mean velocity, not the peak. Mean velocity excludes turbulence, whose
intensity is obtained from Figures NA.5 and 6.

As with the simpler (exposure factor) approach, a convenient alternative to the graphs
is the freely downloadable ENcalculator program (see Figure 9.4 and reference 12).

Essentially, the additional elaboration is to keep separate account of mean velocity

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

(which is locally amplified by orography) and turbulence (which is not). Peak velocity is
a combination of the two, so is increased, but not pro rata to the mean. In the simpler
treatment (restricted to buildings up to 50 m high), this is allowed for in relatively ad
hoc fashion by the [(co + 0.6)/1.6]2 factor on peak pressure (equivalent to [(co + 0.6)/1.6]
on peak velocity), diluting the impact of co itself. In principle, the more elaborate
treatment ought to generate a more accurate result where orography is involved.

Although only compulsory for buildings higher than 50 m, the more elaborate treatment
is valid for all heights. The designer of a lower building on a sea cliff might consider adopting
it voluntarily, since the assumption of a compromise gust factor of 1.6 (on which the
simpler treatment is based) is on the unconservative side for a maritime boundary layer.

The stages of the simpler treatment (Section 5) are followed except as detailed below.

87
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
Appendix A

Stage 7 is replaced by:

Roughness factor

Enter the graph of Figure NA.3 to determine the roughness factor cr for each sector.

Turbulence intensity

Enter the graph of Figure NA.5 to determine the intensity of turbulence Iv,flat for each sector.

Zone assignment

Note also, in Figure NA.7, whether Zone A or B applies. This will be used later in the
determination of size factor. If the site is in town, this zone assignment is a provisional
one which may be overridden later.

Stage 9 is replaced by:

Town terrain roughness correction factor

Enter the graph of Figure NA.4 to determine the town terrain roughness correction
factor cr,T for each sector.

Town terrain turbulence correction factor

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Enter the graph of Figure NA.6 to determine the town terrain turbulence correction
factor kI,T for each sector.

As in Figure NA.8, the ≤ symbol at bottom left of both of these graphs is incorrect;
sites less than 100 m into town are treated as country.

Stage 11 is replaced by:

Calculation of velocity pressure (‘non-orographic’)

Peak velocity pressure is calculated sector by sector as:

qp = 0.613 [vmap calt cdir cr cr,T (1 + 3Iv,flat kI,T )]2

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

in which cr,T and kI,T are set equal to 1 if the site is not in town.

This is without the influence of orography. Even in an ‘orographic’ situation,

the ‘non-orographic’ calculation is required.

For sectors identified as ‘orographic’, Stage 17 is replaced by:

Recalculation of velocity pressure (‘orographic’)

Peak velocity pressure is recalculated as:

qp(o) = 0.613 [vmap calt(o) cdir cr cr,T (co + 3Iv,flat kI,T )]2

in which cr,T and kI,T are set equal to 1 if the site is not in town.

88
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

Note that calt(o) represents the reduced altitude factor calculated for the foot of the hill
in Stage 16. co is the orography factor calculated in Stage 15.

Compare the ‘orographic’ peak velocity pressure qp(o) with the original ‘non-orographic’ qp.
Use whichever is larger. The ‘non-orographic’ calculation can give a more onerous
result in some cases.

Proceed from Stage 18

89
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

APPENDIX B:
DESIGN ACTIONS FOR NON-
STANDARD DURATIONS

Although not required for the structural design of normal buildings in their final
condition, factors cprob and cseason may be relevant when considering temporary buildings
or transient conditions during execution. Both these factors apply to the wind velocity
alongside calt and cdir. If both apply, the Stage 11 expression expands to:

qp = 0.613(vmap × calt × cdir × cprob × cseason)2 × cece,T

B.1 Probability factor

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
The probability factor cprob allows for exposure periods different from 50 years.

cprob = 0.75 1 − 0.2Ln[ − Ln(1 − p)]

in which p is the annual probability of exceedance, with a value of 0.02 for the
customary 50 year ‘indicative’ working life.

Buildings of non-standard design life

The UK NA to EN 1990, in its Table NA2.1, suggests indicative working lives which
range between 10 years for temporary structures and 120 years for ‘monumental’
buildings. The formula is equally valid for lifetimes over 50 years, for which it will yield a
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
probability factor greater than 1.

As an example, if the client for an agricultural building specifies a 25 year design

working life, p can be doubled to 0.04 and the formula gives cprob = 0.96. Conversely,
a brief for 120 years would lead to p = 1/120 = 0.0083 and cprob = 1.05.

Transient design situations

The probability factor is also applicable in transient design situations such as the
verification of temporary bracing for a retained facade. Incomplete buildings may
require verification at various stages of construction or demolition. For example an
unclad frame can attract a wind force which exceeds that of the clad structure; at
the same time, part of the self weight that counters overturning may be lacking.
BRE Digest SD5[20] provides information on wind action on unclad structures.

91
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
Appendix B

For transient design situations in course of construction, it is prudent to allow for a

working life of 5 years even if the situation is only intended to prevail for 3 months
or less. This leads to p = 0.2 and cprob = 0.855, say 0.85, as minimum. This is in line
with EN 1991-1-6[21] Table 3.1, which would also, for a duration between 3 months
and 1 year, recommend a minimum of 0.9 (as for a temporary building with a
10 year indicative working life). These informative recommendations are endorsed
by the relevant UK NA.

BS EN 1991-1-6 Table 3.1 does allow cprob to be taken as low as 0.78, but only
for exposure of 3 days or less. For transient situations of such short duration the
alternative of waiting for a ‘weather window’ may be available (but see Section B.3).
The BCSA Guide to Steel Erection in Windy Conditions[22] contains relevant advice.

A cautionary example of a transient design situation that became quasi-persistent is

the ‘temporary’ steelwork bracing the walls of the former Battersea Power Station, in
service for over 25 years (Figure B.1).

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

Photograph by Ian Mansfield,
courtesy of Wikipedia
(www.wikipedia.org). Released under
the GNU Free Documentation License.

B.2 Season factor

For less than year-round exposure cseason is available. Table NA.2 gives values of this
factor (which is always a reduction factor) for a selection of periods and times of year.
For obvious reasons, cseason should be used with caution, subject to thorough client
understanding and consent.

An example of a summer-only structure is Holland Park Theatre (Figure B.2).

From Table NA.2, a factor of cseason = 0.73 may be applied in the design of a structure
which is erected each May and dismantled each August, almost halving design wind
actions in comparison with a structure which remains in place all year.

92
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

Figure B.2
Holland Park Theatre
Photograph by Fritz Curzon.
Courtesy of the Royal Borough of
Kensington and Chelsea

A frame which remains unclad for a period of a few non-winter months is

an example of a transient design situation for which it would, in principle, be
acceptable to apply both cprob and cseason, but the need for caution and consent is
re-emphasized. If a pessimistic view of the construction programme reveals any
possibility of overrun into December/January, only cprob can be applied.

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
B.3 Minimum wind
Mention should also be made of the recommendation, not in EN 1991-1-4 but in
EN 1991-1-6, that a 20 m/s ‘basic value’ of wind speed be assumed as a minimum
in execution situations of up to 3 months duration. The effect, in the expanded
Stage 11 expression:

qp = 0.613(vmap × calt × cdir × cprob × cseason )2 × cece,T

would be to replace (vmap × calt × cdir × cprob × cseason ) by 20 m/s, if that is greater. However,
the recommendation does not have normative status and the velocity is open to
national determination. The UK NA to EN 1991-1-6[23] declares that ‘the recommended To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org
value should be defined for the individual project’, which may be interpreted as licence
to ignore. Alternatively, the statement in the UK NA may be interpreted as an invitation
to give serious consideration to the possibility of what might be described as a ‘bolt
from the blue’. In statistical terms such events are outliers, and their velocity is difficult
to estimate. A figure such as 20 m/s is somewhat arbitrary, but serves (together with
the partial factor) to maintain a level of defence against the unexpected.

If official guidance seems less definite than might be desired, this may be a reflection
of the variation in severity of transient situations in constructional engineering practice.
Many experienced designers and constructors would advocate a risk analysis in which
the consequences of failure are given due weight. In sensitive situations it may be
judged inappropriate to exploit cprob and/or cseason to the full extent that is acceptable
where the risk is minor.

93
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

APPENDIX C:
CALCULATION AIDS

The SCI Wind Protractor (as in Figure 5.2) is presented here at full scale. This can be
photocopied onto transparent film for use with maps and air views at various stages of
the procedure.

The manual calculation sheet is a blank version of the one which illustrates the design
example. It can be used to facilitate and present a directional calculation in stages
according to the procedure of Section 5. It is for twelve 30° sectors whose orientation
is chosen to suit the building, as recommended at Stage 3, such that each face-
centred quadrant comprises three sectors. The pale blue and gold background shading
is to distinguish the principal directions of a rectangular plan shape.

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
For a calculation which is based on four face-centred quadrants from the start,
the same sheet can be used with sector subdivisions ignored.

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

95
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
SCI Wind Calculation Sheet
Location:
1 Map wind speed vmap m/s

Height of building h m

Site altitude A m

2 Altitude factor calt

Quadrant number Quadrant 1 Quadrant 2 Quadrant 3 Quadrant 4

Sector number S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12

3 Sector orientation °

4 Directional factor cdir

Displacement height
5 m
(if any) hdis

z − hdis (= h − hdis ) m

6 Distance to shoreline km

7 Exposure factor ce

8 Distance into town km

9 Correction factor ce,T

10 Zone for size factor

11 qp = 0.613(vmap × calt × cdir )2 × cece,T Pa

12 Potentially significant orography?

14 Orography location factor s

15 Orography factor co

16 calt(o) for foot of hill

Orographic
17 Pa
qp(o) = qp × [(calt(o)/calt) × (co+ 0.6) /1.6]2
Breadth of building b m

b+h m

18 Size factor cs

Damping δs

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

h/b
19 Dynamic factor cd

qp(or qp(o) ) cscd Pa

20 Ditto, by quadrant kPa

Depth of building d m

h/d
21 Force coefficient cf
Shadow area Ash
m2
(= bh for cuboid)
22 Significant friction?

23 If so, Ffr = qp (or qp(o) ) cfrAfr kN

Overall wind force = qp (or qp(o) )

24 kN
cscd cf Ash + Ffr (if any)
Higher of Q1/Q3 kN
25
Higher of Q2/Q4 kN
Licensed copy: uliverpool, University of Liverpool, 09/02/2019, Uncontrolled Copy, © Steel Construction Institute

SCI Wind Protractor

The Wind Protractor may be copied full size onto transparent film for use on maps at scales of 1:1000 000 and 1:50 000.
If the green lines are aligned with the axes of the building, sectors will straightforwardly consolidate into quadrants at Stage 20.

If copied, the dimensions of the copy should be verified using the scale below:

0 1 2 3 4 5 cm
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

10
0

90
S2 S3 80

70
S1 60
0
00
50 0
00
2

1
1:
40 at
1

km
S4

10
S5

S11

1
0

km
S6

at
S1

1:
50 3
00
0

4
E

S7
G
ED
IS

S9
TH
NG

5
LO

S8
A
T
CU

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

99
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

100
P394 Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

101
To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

SCI Membership

Technical Information

Construction Solutions

Communications Technology
SCI Assessment

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Reproduced under licence from The Steel Construction Institute on 24/12/2013
Wind Actions to BS EN 1991-1-4
For most buildings in the UK, wind action is an important influence on structural design.
BS EN 1991-1-4:2005+A1:2010 (the UK implementation of Eurocode 1 Part 1-4) provides
a design standard which is up to date, authoritative and, in many respects, a significant
evolutionary advance. This Design Guide sets out a straightforward procedure by which
wind actions (both overall forces and local pressures) can be evaluated in accordance
with the new standard. A comprehensive worked example demonstrates the procedure
for a typical steel framed building.

To buy a hardcopy version of this document visit http://shop.steelbiz.org

SCI Ref: P394

ISBN: 978-1-85942-210-6
SCI
Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire. SL5 7QN UK
T: +44 (0)1344 636525
F: +44 (0)1344 636570
E: [email protected]
www.steel-sci.com

Blue Book
100% (2)
Blue Book
567 pages
Peace by Peaceful Means Peace and Conflict Development and Civilization
100% (2)
Peace by Peaceful Means Peace and Conflict Development and Civilization
61 pages
Alors On Danse: Arranged by Marcin
50% (2)
Alors On Danse: Arranged by Marcin
10 pages
Guide To Evaluating Design Wind Loads To BS 6399-2 1997
100% (1)
Guide To Evaluating Design Wind Loads To BS 6399-2 1997
52 pages
Holmes Et Al 2012 Front Pages PDF
No ratings yet
Holmes Et Al 2012 Front Pages PDF
22 pages
Sanet - ST - Solution Manual MATLAB For Engineering Applications PDF
No ratings yet
Sanet - ST - Solution Manual MATLAB For Engineering Applications PDF
699 pages
Wind Lo Ding: H Ndbook
No ratings yet
Wind Lo Ding: H Ndbook
22 pages
50 Years of Wind Engineering
No ratings yet
50 Years of Wind Engineering
45 pages
BS EN 1991-1-4 2005（中文版）
No ratings yet
BS EN 1991-1-4 2005（中文版）
120 pages
SCI P394 Secure
No ratings yet
SCI P394 Secure
120 pages
P394 WindActions PDF
No ratings yet
P394 WindActions PDF
32 pages
en.1991.1.4.2005
No ratings yet
en.1991.1.4.2005
5 pages
Actions 5 - Wind Actions
No ratings yet
Actions 5 - Wind Actions
77 pages
CIRSOC-102-Guia (1)-ENGLISH
No ratings yet
CIRSOC-102-Guia (1)-ENGLISH
124 pages
ASI Journal - Volume 46 - A Method For Estimating In-Plane Forces On Roller Shutter Door Guides
100% (1)
ASI Journal - Volume 46 - A Method For Estimating In-Plane Forces On Roller Shutter Door Guides
34 pages
Wind Effects Bridges
No ratings yet
Wind Effects Bridges
7 pages
Joints in Steel Construction - Moment Connections.
No ratings yet
Joints in Steel Construction - Moment Connections.
243 pages
ASI Design Guide - Wind Actions On Steel Sheds and Garages
90% (10)
ASI Design Guide - Wind Actions On Steel Sheds and Garages
12 pages
Guide To Bs 5950 Blue Book
100% (1)
Guide To Bs 5950 Blue Book
567 pages
Is 802 Recommendations On Wind Load On Transmission
No ratings yet
Is 802 Recommendations On Wind Load On Transmission
57 pages
Bs Eurocode1 Part2 4
No ratings yet
Bs Eurocode1 Part2 4
225 pages
Steelwork Design Guide (Blue Book) Pt.0
No ratings yet
Steelwork Design Guide (Blue Book) Pt.0
14 pages
Steel Designers Manual 7th Edition B. Davison - The ebook is now available, just one click to start reading
100% (1)
Steel Designers Manual 7th Edition B. Davison - The ebook is now available, just one click to start reading
59 pages
NBS Guide To The Eurocodes
No ratings yet
NBS Guide To The Eurocodes
12 pages
Cicind: Model Code Steel Chimneys
100% (1)
Cicind: Model Code Steel Chimneys
3 pages
Steelwork Design Guide To Bs 595012000 V2 Worked Examples Vol 2 Rev Ed Martin D James download
100% (1)
Steelwork Design Guide To Bs 595012000 V2 Worked Examples Vol 2 Rev Ed Martin D James download
38 pages
Limit State Design Of: Bijoy Krishna Roy Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Impscet, Malda
No ratings yet
Limit State Design Of: Bijoy Krishna Roy Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Impscet, Malda
56 pages
Affliated To Kadpoly
No ratings yet
Affliated To Kadpoly
3 pages
NBS Guide To The Eurocodes
No ratings yet
NBS Guide To The Eurocodes
12 pages
Lesson 1C Eurocode Wind Loading and Design 2019
100% (1)
Lesson 1C Eurocode Wind Loading and Design 2019
54 pages
SCI-BRE-BCSA Wind Guidance PDF
No ratings yet
SCI-BRE-BCSA Wind Guidance PDF
28 pages
Electronic Publication Sci Ed001
No ratings yet
Electronic Publication Sci Ed001
28 pages
Steel Designers Manual 7th Edition B. Davison instant download
100% (1)
Steel Designers Manual 7th Edition B. Davison instant download
54 pages
Designers' Guide To EN 1991-1-4 - Actions On Structures, General Actions - Wind Actions PDF
No ratings yet
Designers' Guide To EN 1991-1-4 - Actions On Structures, General Actions - Wind Actions PDF
46 pages
N. Cook - Designers' Guide To en 1991-1-4 Eurocode 1 - Actions On Structures, General Actions - Wind Actions (Eurocode Designers' Guide) (Pt. 1-4) (2007)
No ratings yet
N. Cook - Designers' Guide To en 1991-1-4 Eurocode 1 - Actions On Structures, General Actions - Wind Actions (Eurocode Designers' Guide) (Pt. 1-4) (2007)
46 pages
Project Report Wind Loading
No ratings yet
Project Report Wind Loading
34 pages
162e2bd Cis888614800265145
No ratings yet
162e2bd Cis888614800265145
13 pages
40a1 Reading
No ratings yet
40a1 Reading
7 pages
IS-875 Part-3 2015X
No ratings yet
IS-875 Part-3 2015X
62 pages
Instant download Acoustic Detailing for Multi Storey Residential Buildings The Steel Construction Institute pdf all chapter
No ratings yet
Instant download Acoustic Detailing for Multi Storey Residential Buildings The Steel Construction Institute pdf all chapter
67 pages
Download Stability of buildings Part 4 Moment frames 1st Edition Andy Gardner ebook All Chapters PDF
100% (2)
Download Stability of buildings Part 4 Moment frames 1st Edition Andy Gardner ebook All Chapters PDF
79 pages
SR 025 PDF
No ratings yet
SR 025 PDF
95 pages
Appendix B Wind Loads
No ratings yet
Appendix B Wind Loads
17 pages
Get Steel Construction Manual 14th Edition American Institute Of Steel Construction PDF ebook with Full Chapters Now
No ratings yet
Get Steel Construction Manual 14th Edition American Institute Of Steel Construction PDF ebook with Full Chapters Now
81 pages
National Structural Steelwork Specification
100% (1)
National Structural Steelwork Specification
69 pages
Wind Actions To en 1991-1-4 (2005)
100% (2)
Wind Actions To en 1991-1-4 (2005)
19 pages
Building Design For Wind Forces
No ratings yet
Building Design For Wind Forces
37 pages
Wind Analysis and Design
No ratings yet
Wind Analysis and Design
34 pages
Best Practices - Design - Wind Loads
No ratings yet
Best Practices - Design - Wind Loads
10 pages
Where can buy Stability of buildings Part 4 Moment frames 1st Edition Andy Gardner ebook with cheap price
100% (10)
Where can buy Stability of buildings Part 4 Moment frames 1st Edition Andy Gardner ebook with cheap price
71 pages
P391 - Structural Robustness of Steel Framed Buildings
No ratings yet
P391 - Structural Robustness of Steel Framed Buildings
133 pages
Glossary of Wind Terms Used in Construction
No ratings yet
Glossary of Wind Terms Used in Construction
36 pages
Wind Engineering
No ratings yet
Wind Engineering
224 pages
Design Guide To BS 5950
No ratings yet
Design Guide To BS 5950
171 pages
IS875 (Part3) - Wind Loads On Buildings and Structures - IIT Kanpur-Part 2
No ratings yet
IS875 (Part3) - Wind Loads On Buildings and Structures - IIT Kanpur-Part 2
7 pages
Chapter-1 Part-1 Wind Load Lecture Note
No ratings yet
Chapter-1 Part-1 Wind Load Lecture Note
45 pages
Base Level:: Samurai Castle
No ratings yet
Base Level:: Samurai Castle
20 pages
Introduction To SAP Cash Management Powered by HANA
No ratings yet
Introduction To SAP Cash Management Powered by HANA
39 pages
11th Accounts Combine
No ratings yet
11th Accounts Combine
56 pages
Death of Comedy PDF
No ratings yet
Death of Comedy PDF
17 pages
Bullterrier Para Pared
No ratings yet
Bullterrier Para Pared
9 pages
Celesi - 2019
No ratings yet
Celesi - 2019
6 pages
1036 1 Introduction Facilitator Guide Luxury
No ratings yet
1036 1 Introduction Facilitator Guide Luxury
11 pages
HSK 2 大词卡
No ratings yet
HSK 2 大词卡
774 pages
Chapter02
No ratings yet
Chapter02
30 pages
Introducing The Sentence Workbook
100% (1)
Introducing The Sentence Workbook
21 pages
AWC DES413 1 ShearWallExamples 1hr 140822
No ratings yet
AWC DES413 1 ShearWallExamples 1hr 140822
30 pages
MikroC Pro Ebook
No ratings yet
MikroC Pro Ebook
159 pages
Inference Worksheet
No ratings yet
Inference Worksheet
10 pages
TL 7800
No ratings yet
TL 7800
12 pages
A Collection of Appendices From Mott Et. El
No ratings yet
A Collection of Appendices From Mott Et. El
41 pages
(PaperzoneVN - Com) 23 PineChristmasTree TEMPLATEA4 PaperArtAddiction
No ratings yet
(PaperzoneVN - Com) 23 PineChristmasTree TEMPLATEA4 PaperArtAddiction
6 pages
Body Movement Verbs Vocabulary Esl Printable Flashcards With Words For Kids
No ratings yet
Body Movement Verbs Vocabulary Esl Printable Flashcards With Words For Kids
40 pages
El Fenómeno Estético - Estela Ocampo
No ratings yet
El Fenómeno Estético - Estela Ocampo
22 pages
Count Forward and Backward: Directions: Write The Numbers As You Count Forward. The First One Is Done As An Example
No ratings yet
Count Forward and Backward: Directions: Write The Numbers As You Count Forward. The First One Is Done As An Example
6 pages
Agentforce Activation Workshop Exercise Guide
No ratings yet
Agentforce Activation Workshop Exercise Guide
19 pages
Kotler Pom17e PPT 20
No ratings yet
Kotler Pom17e PPT 20
40 pages
Worry Decision Tree - Lang Eng Us - Format Client Version
No ratings yet
Worry Decision Tree - Lang Eng Us - Format Client Version
3 pages
Dash-Challenge-Cards
No ratings yet
Dash-Challenge-Cards
51 pages
FlashCards Figuras Geométricas 2 D
No ratings yet
FlashCards Figuras Geométricas 2 D
15 pages
Copyright Chaos - For Use With Students
No ratings yet
Copyright Chaos - For Use With Students
19 pages
12 SPD eRAN3.0 License Management 20120515 A 1.0
No ratings yet
12 SPD eRAN3.0 License Management 20120515 A 1.0
49 pages
Spare Parts Catalog: MS-B 3025 Material Number: 4475.004.095 Current Date: 10.07.2017
No ratings yet
Spare Parts Catalog: MS-B 3025 Material Number: 4475.004.095 Current Date: 10.07.2017
25 pages