Wind Load On Gate
Wind Load On Gate
(OP)
I need to calculate the wind loads on an operable gate that is located in an otherwise solid wall of a building. The gate has aluminum tubes on all four sides with 1" vertical pickets at about 5"c/c.
Does anyone know of a reference for this condition or have an idea of how to calculate the loads?
Does anyone know of a reference for this condition or have an idea of how to calculate the loads?






RE: Wind Load On Gate
RE: Wind Load On Gate
You get extra "area" with the top and bottom bars, and decorations on the bars, and on the end pieces.
If you want to get "about right" znd don't want a conservative answer, try a plate hinged at one side, then take credit for 7/16 to 1/2 of it being "open" - rather than the 20% open that you'd expect from the geometry.
Pressure point would still be at the centroid of the area: unless you want to also assume that the wind "at top of plate" is significantly greater than "wind at bottom of the plate" which is greater than "wind at ground level" - which is zero. Then you could figure that the real pressure point from the wind will always be above the calculated center of area of the plate.
RE: Wind Load On Gate
If you are using a pin to latch the gate in place, check the bending on the pin as well.
RE: Wind Load On Gate
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: Wind Load On Gate
Never, but never question engineer's judgement