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Wind Load

Reference data and engineering information about wind load for mechanics applications.

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Overview

Engineering reference data for Wind Load in mechanics.

Key Formulas

Newton's Second Law

F=maF = ma

Force = mass × acceleration.

Work

W=Fdcos⁡θW = Fd\cos\theta

Work = force × displacement × cos(angle).

Kinetic Energy

Ek=12mv2E_k = \frac{1}{2}mv^2

Energy of motion.

Potential Energy

Ep=mghE_p = mgh

Gravitational potential energy.

Variables

Symbol Description Unit
FF Force N
mm Mass kg
aa Acceleration m/s²
vv Velocity m/s

Wind Load Data Table

Example Calculation: Hurricane Wind Load

A hurricane with a wind speed of 35 m/s acts on a wall with an area of 10 m².

Using the formula: Fw=12ρv2A=12(1.2 kg/m3)(35 m/s)2(10 m2)=7350 N=7.35 kNF_w = \frac{1}{2} \rho v^2 A = \frac{1}{2} (1.2 \, \text{kg/m}^3) (35 \, \text{m/s})^2 (10 \, \text{m}^2) = 7350 \, \text{N} = 7.35 \, \text{kN}

Using the data table: The wind load per square meter at 35 m/s is 735 N/m². The total force is: Fw=(735 N/m2)×(10 m2)=7350 NF_w = (735 \, \text{N/m}^2) \times (10 \, \text{m}^2) = 7350 \, \text{N}

This force is equivalent to the weight of approximately 750 kg.

Practical Notes and Unit Conversions

  • Air Density: The calculations above assume a standard air density of ρ = 1.2 kg/m³. Actual density varies with temperature, humidity, and altitude.
  • Wind Speed Conversions:
    • 1 m/s = 3.6 km/h
    • 1 m/s = 2.237 mph
    • 1 m/s = 196.85 ft/min
  • Pressure Unit Conversions:
    • 1 Pa = 1 N/m²
    • 1 Pa = 1.4504×10⁻⁴ psi (lb/in²)
  • Engineering Reality: In practice, wind force on a real object creates more complex effects like aerodynamic drag, lift, and vortex shedding, which are not captured by the simple formula above.

Interactive Charts

References