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Step-by-Step Wind Analysis and Design of a Building as per Eurocode 1

Wind analysis of buildings is an essential part of structural design, especially for tall buildings or
structures in wind-prone areas. According to Eurocode 1 (EN 1991-1-4), wind actions on buildings are
determined based on the basic wind speed, terrain category, and building geometry. This guide
explains the wind analysis and design process step-by-step, using a practical example of a 5-story
reinforced concrete (RC) building.

Building Example:
Type: 5-story residential building.

Dimensions: 20 m long, 15 m wide, and 3.5 m per story (total height = 17.5 m).

Location: Assume a Mediterranean region (moderate wind speed zone).

Terrain Category: III (urban area with low-rise buildings).

Building Material: Reinforced concrete (RC) frame.

Step 1: Determining Basic Wind Speed

The basic wind speed is derived from meteorological data and wind maps provided by national
authorities. In Eurocode 1, the basic wind speed vb is defined as the characteristic 10-minute mean
​

wind speed at a height of 10 meters above open terrain.

Basic Wind Speed vb ​ = 27 m/s (assumed value for a Mediterranean region).

Step 2: Determining Mean Wind Speed at Building Height

To calculate wind pressures at different heights on the building, the mean wind speed vm (z) at the
​

building’s height is required. This depends on the terrain category and the building height.

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The formula for the mean wind speed vm (z) at height z is: ​

vm (z) = vb ⋅ cr (z)
​ ​ ​

Where:

vb = 27 m/s is the basic wind speed.

​

cr (z) is the roughness factor, which depends on the terrain category and height above ground.
​

Terrain Category III (Urban Areas):

For terrain category III (urban areas with low-rise buildings) and height z = 17.5 m, the
roughness factor cr (17.5 m) can be interpolated from Eurocode 1 values.
​

From Eurocode tables:

cr (10 m) = 0.76
​

cr (20 m) = 0.87
​

Interpolating for z = 17.5 m:

(0.87 − 0.76)
cr (17.5) = 0.76 + × (17.5 − 10) = 0.85
20 − 10
​ ​

Now, calculate the mean wind speed at the top of the building (at height 17.5 m):

vm (17.5 m) = 27 ⋅ 0.85 = 22.95 m/s

​

Step 3: Turbulence Intensity and Peak Wind Speed

The turbulence intensity Iv represents the fluctuations in wind speed due to turbulence. It depends
on the terrain category and building height.

For terrain category III, Eurocode 1 provides the following formula for turbulence intensity:

kI
Iv (z) =
​ ​

ln ( zz0 ) ​
​

Where:
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kI = 1.0 for terrain category III.

​

z0 = 0.3 m (roughness length for terrain category III).

​

z = 17.5 m (building height).

1.0 1.0 1.0

Iv (17.5) = 17.5 = = = 0.246
ln ( 0.3 ) ln(58.33) 4.065
​ ​ ​ ​

Now, calculate the peak wind speed vp (z) at building height. The peak wind speed accounts for
​

wind gusts:

vp (z) = vm (z) ⋅ (1 + 7 ⋅ Iv (z))

​ ​ ​

Substituting the values:

vp (17.5 m) = 22.95 ⋅ (1 + 7 ⋅ 0.246) = 22.95 ⋅ 2.722 = 62.47 m/s

​

Step 4: Calculating Dynamic Wind Pressure

The dynamic wind pressure qp (z) at height z is calculated using:
​

qp (z) = 0.5 ⋅ ρ ⋅ vp (z)2

​ ​

Where:

ρ = 1.25 kg/m3 (air density).

Substituting the values:

qp (17.5 m) = 0.5 ⋅ 1.25 ⋅ (62.47)2 = 0.625 ⋅ 3901.09 = 2438.18 N /m2

​

Step 5: External Pressure Coefficients

The wind pressures acting on the external surfaces of the building are determined using external
pressure coefficients cpe , which depend on the building's shape, height, and orientation.
​

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For a rectangular building:

Windward wall: cpe,windward ​ = 0.8.

Leeward wall: cpe,leeward ​ = −0.3.
Side walls: cpe,side ​ = −0.7.

Step 6: Wind Pressure on External Surfaces

The wind pressures on the external surfaces of the building can now be calculated using the formula:

w(z) = qp (z) ⋅ cpe

​ ​

Where:

qp (z) = 2438.18 N /m2 (dynamic wind pressure at height 17.5 m).

​

Windward Wall Pressure:

wwindward = 2438.18 ⋅ 0.8 = 1950.54 N /m2

​

Leeward Wall Pressure:

wleeward = 2438.18 ⋅ (−0.3) = −731.45 N /m2

​

Side Wall Pressure:

wside = 2438.18 ⋅ (−0.7) = −1706.73 N /m2

​

Step 7: Wind Load on the Building

The total wind load on the building is calculated by multiplying the wind pressures by the exposed
areas of the building’s surfaces.

Windward Wall:

Exposed area Awindward ​ = 20 m × 17.5 m = 350 m2 .

Fwindward = wwindward ⋅ Awindward = 1950.54 ⋅ 350 = 682, 688.8 N = 682.69 kN

​ ​ ​

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Leeward Wall:

Exposed area Aleeward ​ = 20 m × 17.5 m = 350 m2 .

Fleeward = wleeward ⋅ Aleeward = −731.45 ⋅ 350 = −255, 007.5 N = −255.01 kN

​ ​ ​

Side Wall:

Exposed area Aside ​ = 15 m × 17.5 m = 262.5 m2 .

Fside = wside ⋅ Aside = −1706.73 ⋅ 262.5 = −448, 519.88 N = −448.52 kN

​ ​ ​

Step 8: Structural Design for Wind Loads

The total wind forces calculated in the previous steps are used to design the structural elements of
the building to resist lateral forces caused by wind.

8.1 Design of Columns and Beams

Columns: Columns must be designed to carry both vertical loads (gravity) and lateral
loads (wind forces).

Beams: Beams should be designed to resist lateral forces and transfer wind loads to columns or
shear walls.

8.2 Design of Shear Walls

If shear walls are present, they should be designed to resist the lateral wind forces. For example:

Windward and Leeward Walls: Design shear walls or frames to resist a net lateral force of
Ftotal = Fwindward + Fleeward = 682.69 − 255.01 = 427.68 kN .
​ ​ ​

8.3 Foundation Design

The foundation must be capable of resisting the overturning and sliding forces generated by the
wind loads. The uplift forces due to wind must also be considered, especially in high-rise buildings.

Conclusion:
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By following these steps, you can perform wind analysis and design a building to resist wind actions
according to Eurocode 1. In the example of the 5-story RC building, wind loads are calculated based
on the building's geometry, location, and terrain category. The wind forces are then applied to the
building, and structural elements are designed accordingly to ensure the building's stability under
wind actions.

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