Main Wind Force Resisting System—Directional Procedure

This chapter provides examples for determining main wind force resisting system (MWFRS) wind loads on buildings and other structures using the Directional Procedure. As wind directions change from perpendicular to one of the building faces, across-wind loads are developed even on rectangular buildings. These cases are addressed through the load combinations. The issue of concern is when the across-wind loading becomes large enough that the combination of along-wind and across-wind loads create more critical loading conditions than those covered by the load combinations. MWFRS loads calculated using provisions are unidirectional loads intended to provide equivalent static design loads that represent the largest expected loads for wind striking the building perpendicular to the face being considered. The MWFRS design wind pressures for a large one-story commercial/warehouse building, a typical high-rise building, a typical open storage building, a typical retail store, and a one-story L-shaped house are determined using the Directional Procedure.