rbateman
Structural
- Aug 13, 2015
- 3
thread802-375135
"sponton (Structural)
(OP)
17 Nov 14 09:16
Hi there,
I'm trying to apply some wind loads to a model based on the ASCE-7-10 code but truth being told I don't have much experience working with the american code or windloads in particular. I read the code and there's nothing about applying the loads directly to the diaphragm, it's not even mentioned at all. In any case, I see point of doing it, since it's somewhat parallel to the seismic design method and it implies that the wind resistance system is spread throughout the building rather than just the exterior walls.
Anyhoo, the point of the question was to know whether this is allowed under ASCE-7-10 or if it's just an option for simplifying the analysis/checking drifts faster."
There is nothing about applying the loads directly to the diaphragm because ... loads shouldn't be applied directly to the diaphragm! It makes no sense that ETABS would have an option for this.
Follow the load path.
Wind load is a function of exterior surface area of the building. The wind load is a pressure that is applied to the exterior cladding of the building (glazing, brick wall, etc.) That pressure is then transferred to the diaphragms (perimeter of the diaphragm, not the center) and finally flows down to the foundation via lateral force resisting elements (shearwall, moment frame, braced frame, etc.).
"sponton (Structural)
(OP)
17 Nov 14 09:16
Hi there,
I'm trying to apply some wind loads to a model based on the ASCE-7-10 code but truth being told I don't have much experience working with the american code or windloads in particular. I read the code and there's nothing about applying the loads directly to the diaphragm, it's not even mentioned at all. In any case, I see point of doing it, since it's somewhat parallel to the seismic design method and it implies that the wind resistance system is spread throughout the building rather than just the exterior walls.
Anyhoo, the point of the question was to know whether this is allowed under ASCE-7-10 or if it's just an option for simplifying the analysis/checking drifts faster."
There is nothing about applying the loads directly to the diaphragm because ... loads shouldn't be applied directly to the diaphragm! It makes no sense that ETABS would have an option for this.
Follow the load path.
Wind load is a function of exterior surface area of the building. The wind load is a pressure that is applied to the exterior cladding of the building (glazing, brick wall, etc.) That pressure is then transferred to the diaphragms (perimeter of the diaphragm, not the center) and finally flows down to the foundation via lateral force resisting elements (shearwall, moment frame, braced frame, etc.).
