WIND LOAD STANDARDS AND CODES

Wind load standards and codes govern design of buildings and structures to resist wind induced loads. A major portion of wind engineering research effort ultimately translates into development of wind loading standards. This paper compares wind loading standards of four nations, namely the United States, Australia, Britain and Canada. In addition, wind loading requirements of the four model building codes of the United States (Uniform, Standard, Basic, and National Building Code) are discussed. Comparisons between the standards and codes are substantiated by determining design wind pressures for a low-rise building.