DESIGN WIND PRESSURE (MWFRS) NSCP 2015

USER’S GUIDE
By: Engr. Charlie G. A. Herrera

Introduction:

In determining the Design Wind Pressure for a two-storey structure, the structure is
divided into two parts. First is the Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS)
which is the main framing structure that includes structural members such as
columns and beams. Second is the Components and Cladding (C&C), which
includes the roof framing such as roof trusses and purlins (Wall cladding, parapet
and roof overhang is not discussed in this guide). We will focus first on MWFRS.

Figure A: Two-Storey Residential Structure

Figure C: Components & Cladding (C&C)

Figure B: Main Wind Force Resisting System

(MWFRS)
We will follow the steps as listed in Table 207B.2-1 in NSCP 2015 Wind Loads on
Buildings – MWFRS (Directional Procedure). Please turn to page 2-41 of the NSCP
2015 7th edition-2nd printing.

We will follow this step by step in our spreadsheet program using a two-storey
residential structure for a single family dwelling and is located at Cabanatuan City,
Nueva Ecija. The location of the structure also shows that it is in an urban area
surrounded by other residential houses in their neighborhood.

Length = 7m, Width = 5m, Ground floor to 2nd floor height = 2.7m,

2nd floor to roof beam = 2.4m, roof beam to apex = 0.8m

Mean Roof Height (h) = 2.7 + 2.4 + (0.8/2) = 5.5m

1. General Requirements (NSCP 2015 Section 207.A)

In the Spreadsheet, you will see this section where you are asked to put your inputs on
blue cells only. These are the General Requirements Section 207A of the NSCP 2015.
We will now discuss the different requirements under this section.

Occupancy Category

You may select what category your building fits into using the table above, for our
structure, we will use Category IV-Standard Occupancy.
Basic Wind Speed (V)

After determining the occupancy category for our structure, next is the basic wind
speed (V). To determine the basic wind speed, we need to turn to Figure 207A.5-1A,
B or C of the NSCP 2015.

Since our structure is an occupancy category IV, we will use the corresponding figure
for it which is Figure 207A.5-C Basic Wind Speeds for Occupancy Category IV and
V Buildings and Other Structures. Tracing Cabanatuan City approximately on the
lines, we say that the Basic Wind Speed for our structure is V=260kph.
Wind directionality factor (Kd)

We now proceed to determine the Wind directionality factor (Kd). We will use Section
207A.6 and Table 207A.6-1.

Since we are analyzing the Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS), we will use
Kd=0.85 from the table above. Please do note that I did not color the cell blue on the
spreadsheet since it can only be used for MWFRS and C&C.

Exposure Category

To determine the exposure category, we need to look into section 207A.7 of the NSCP
2015. The Surface Roughness Categories describes the type of environment our
structures is located.

Surface roughness B: With wind obstructions nearby such as urban and suburban
areas.

Surface roughness C: Open terrain with scattered obstructions such as flat plains with
some trees and other structures.

Surface roughness D: Totally flat, and unobstructed environment such as the sea.

(Please refer to the code references below for additional information)

Our two-storey residential structure is located in a suburban area in Cabanatuan City
where there are multiple structures that serves as an obstruction for the wind. The
structure’s mean roof height is also below 9 meters in height (h=5.5m). Therefore,
based on section 207A.7.3, we can say that the exposure category is B.

Topographic Factor (Kzt)

This factor only applies to structures that are located on top of a hill, near the ridges
and escarpments where there are abrupt changes in the general topography. You can
check this on NSCP 2015 section 207A.8. Since our structure is not located on the
environments stated above, therefore we will specify that Kzt=1.0 as stated in NSCP
2015 section 207A.8.2.

The spreadsheet designt limits that Kzt must only be equal to 1.0 but if you would
like to calculate for the value of Kzt, I suggest that you do it manually then enter it in
the spreadsheet.
Gust Effect Factor (G)

For rigid buildings, the code permits to use the value G=0.85 but the code also allows
you to compute the Gust effect factor yourself using the provisions in Section 207A.9.
In the spreadsheet, the Gust effect factor is calculated so that it can match the STAAD
wind design pressure calculation.

The spreadsheet used the formula found in Section 207A.9.4 to calculate for the Gust
effect factor. I will not elaborate on the calculation but you can study it for yourself
since it is only for direct substitution of values.

Using the spreadsheet, we determined that the Gust Effect Factor is G=0.883365
I have included in this guide the tables and formula that you will need in order to
calculate the Gust effect factor from NSCP 2015 section 207A9.4 and you can use the
spreadsheet as a guide in your computation.

Enclosure Classification

NSCP 2015 Section 207A.10 describes the different classifications used in

determining the internal pressure coefficients for all buildings. The classifications are
the following:

Enclosed
Partially Enclosed
Open

We classify our two-storey residential structure as an “enclosed” building in the

spreadsheet.

Internal Pressure Coefficient (GCpi)

To determine the internal pressure coefficient (GCpi), we use Table 207A.11-1 in

section 207A.11 of NSCP 2015. As shown on the table, our structure has an internal
pressure coefficients of GCpi = +0.18 and -0.18.
 We are now done with the NSCP 2015 Section 207A General Requirements. Let us
now proceed with the Velocity Pressure Exposure Coefficient.

2. Velocity Pressure Exposure Coefficient, (Kz or Kh)

The velocity pressure exposure coefficient Kz corresponds to the height(z) of the

structure being analyzed. I personally use Kz per floor, like in the spreadsheet where I
use Kz1 for the ground floor to the 2nd floor. You can list as many Kz as you would like
depending on the height of your structure.

Kh corresponds to the coefficient at the mean roof height (h). This is where we expect
the largest value of the wind design pressure to exist.

Values of Kz and Kh can be interpolated using Table 207B.3-1 but it can also be
calculated using the formula listed below the table.
 You can use the formula provided or you
can use the table provided to determine
the coefficients. Interpolation of values is
allowed in the given table. The values we
used for our structure are:

Kz1 = 0.5721 and

Kh = 0.60588

3. Velocity Pressure (qz or qh)

The Velocity Pressure for each storey height (qz) or at the mean roof height (qh) is
determined by using section 207B.3.2 equation 207B.3-1
 Since we have all the values needed to calculate qz, you can directly substitute those
values to determine qz or qh. You can use the spreadsheet as our reference for your
calculation.

In the spreadsheet, the calculated values are:

qz1 = 1554.918 Pa and qh = 1646.674 Pa

4. External Pressure Coefficients (Cp)

There are three types of external pressure coefficients that you need to determine,
these are: Windward, Leeward, and Sidewalls.

Windward corresponds to the surface which is directly hit by the wind in the direction
of your analysis. This surface is subject to positive pressure (push) and is normal or
perpendicular to the direction of the wind.

Leeward is the surface at back of the Windward surface and it is subjected to negative
pressure (pull).

Sidewalls are the surfaces at the sides of your Windward surface parallel to the
direction of the wind. This surface is also subject to negative pressure (pull).

To determine the external pressure coefficients (Cp), we will use Figure 207B.4-1 for
walls.
 Using the spreadsheet, we determined that the values for external pressure
coefficients are the following:

After determining the external pressure coefficients, we are now ready to calculate the
Design Wind Pressures for the MWFRS of our structure.

5. Design Wind Pressure (p)

This is the final step in our User’s guide and when the Design Wind Pressure is
calculated, it can be used as the wind load for your manual structural analysis.

To determine the Design Wind Pressure (p), we will refer to section 207B.4 and
equation 207B.4-1
Since we have all the values needed to calculate the Design Wind Pressure, we
substitute those values in the formula and the Design Wind Pressure are the following:

We consider both positive (+GCpi) and negative (GCpi) internal pressure coefficients
and we get the maximum values out of the calculated Design Wind Pressures.

These pressures can be used in your manual structural analysis. I personally multiply
these pressures with the tributary width of my columns to get uniform line loads applied
at the outer columns.

I will demonstrate my method on the next page for your reference.

Here is an example on how I apply my Design Wind Pressure to get the lateral
uniformly distributed loads for my columns.

Tributary width = 2.5m

Windward 1 = 2.5m x 1.379kPa = 3.447kN/m

Windward 2 = 2.5m x 1.46kPa = 3.65kN/m

Leeward = 2.5m x -0.907kPa = -2.268kN/m

Figure D: Middle Frame

For the sidewalls, it follows the same procedure. It also should be noted that the wind
must be analyzed at all directions (x and z).

That is all for the Main Wind Force Resisting System Design Wind Pressure using
NSCP 2015 code provisions.