The Ontario Building Code | Specified Wind Load

4.1.7.1. Specified Wind Load

(1) The specified external pressure or suction due to wind on part or all of a surface of a building shall be calculated using the following formula:

p = I_wqC_eC_gC_p

where,

p = specified external pressure acting statically and in a direction normal to the surface, either as a pressure directed towards the surface or as a suction directed away from the surface,

I_w = importance factor for wind load, as provided in Table 4.1.7.1.,

q = reference velocity pressure, as provided in Sentence (4),

C_e = exposure factor, as provided in Sentence (5),

C_g = gust effect factor, as provided in Sentence (6), and

C_p = external pressure coefficient, averaged over the area of the surface considered.

Table 4.1.7.1.
Importance Factor for Wind Load, L_W

Forming Part of Sentences 4.1.7.1.(1) and (3)

Item	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
	Importance Category	Importance Factor, IW
		ULS	SLS
1.	Low	0.8	0.75
2.	Normal	1.0	0.75
3.	High	1.15	0.75
4.	Post-disaster	1.25	0.75

(2) The net wind load for the building as a whole shall be the algebraic difference of the loads on the windward and the leeward surfaces, and in some cases may be calculated as the sum of the products of the external pressures or suctions and the areas of the surfaces over which they are averaged as provided in Sentence (1).

(3) The net specified pressure due to wind on part or all of a surface of a building shall be the algebraic difference of the external pressure or suction as provided for in Sentence (1) and the specified internal pressure or suction due to wind calculated from,

p_i = I_wqC_eC_giC_pi

where,

p_i = specified internal pressure acting statically and in a direction normal to the surface, either as a pressure directed toward the surface or as a suction directed away from the surface,

I_w = importance factor for wind load, as provided in Table 4.1.7.1.,

q = reference velocity pressure, as provided in Sentence (4),

C_e = exposure factor, as provided in Sentence (5),

C_gi = internal gust effect factor, as provided in Sentence (6), and

C_pi = internal pressure coefficient.

(4) The reference velocity pressure, q, shall be the appropriate value determined in conformance with Subsection 1.1.2. based on a probability of being exceeded in any one year of 1-in-50.

(5) The exposure factor C_e, shall be,

(a) (h/10)^0.2 but not less than 0.9 for open terrain, where open terrain is level terrain with only scattered buildings, trees or other obstructions, open water or shorelines, h being the reference height above grade in metres for the surface or part of the surface,

(b) 0.7(h/12)^0.3 but not less than 0.7 for rough terrain, where rough terrain is suburban, urban or wooded terrain extending upwind from the building uninterrupted for at least 1 km or 20 times the height of the building, whichever is greater, h being the reference height above gradein metres for the surface or part of the surface,

(c) an intermediate value between the two exposures defined in Clauses (a) and (b) in cases where the site is less than 1 km or 20 times the height of the building from a change in terrain conditions, whichever is greater, provided an appropriate interpolation method is used, or

(d) if a dynamic approach to the action of wind gusts is used, an appropriate value depending on both height and shielding.

(6) The gust effect factor, C_g, shall be one of the following values:

(a) for the buildingas a whole and main structural members, C_g = 2.0,

(b) for external pressures and suctions on small elements including cladding, C_g = 2.5,

(c) for internal pressures, C_gi= 2.0 or a value determined by detailed calculation that takes into account the sizes of the openings in the building envelope, the internal volume and the flexibility of the building envelope, or

(d) if a dynamic approach to wind action is used, C_g is a value that is appropriate for the turbulence of the wind and the size and natural frequency of the structure.