Reinforced Concrete-Block Load-Bearing Wall & Basic Wind Speed 2

[DCEngr1]

In general, did the implementation of 90 mph wind speeds, as opposed to the former 70 mph speeds in the code, affect an increase in the amount of reinforcing required in load-bearing 8-inch concrete-block walls that support roof loads with steel bar joists? The structure I am concerned with is a movie theater with high walls to accomodate a sloping floor and the screen height in the seating area.

 

[JedClampett]

There might be a small difference, with the 90 mph wind slightly increasing the amount of vertical steel. But the big change was the elimination of the 1/3 allowable stress increase from UBC to IBC for wind load combinations.

 

[hawkaz]

Check your wind load design methodology. The wind speed went from 70 mph fastest mile wind speed to 90 mph 3-sec gust wind speed and the formulae changed to accommodate. The wind pressures didn't change too significantly for the most part.

It is my understanding that we are about to go through this wind speed confusion again.


Jed is right, the 1/3 stress increase made a bigger difference.