ASCE 7-05 Wind Load Zone, Edge Distance a = ???

[SteveGregory]

How do you handle an L-shaped building?

The footprint of the building covers a rectangular area 153'-6" x 222'-8 1/2". One end of the "L" is 53' wide and the other end is 83' wide.

To compute the end zone limits or edge distance a, should I use 53', 83' or 153.5'?

 

[msquared48]

53

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[southard2]

Your probably going to want to consider an expansion joint to form two rectangular diaphrams. If this can't be done try to get as close to this as possible

John Southard, M.S., P.E.

http://www.pdhlibrary.com

 

[SteveGregory]

John,
How does an expansion joint affect the determination of wind loads?

 

[JAE]

It doesn't

 

[msquared48]

It could if the building was built in phases, but, somehow, just somehow, I doubt that it will be.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask