Wind Loads on Ground Mounted Equipment

[SteelPE]

I have a client who needs me to design foundations for some ground mounted equipment. The equipment is a dust collection system for a factory. The system requires various motors, filters and gates that are being designed by the equipment manufacturer. I am only required to design the foundations, however, they refuse to give me loading criteria for wind and seismic, so I have to go about calculating this myself. The code I intend to use is ASCE 7-10 (as it’s the only code I currently have in the office that deals with these types of loadings). I will be making some general assumptions in how the loads are to be distributed to the foundations.

As the equipment is not on the roof, it appears I would need to use section 29.5 (specifically section 29.5-1). Is 29.5 the correct section?
40x8x20
The equipment has various dimensions and ducts sizes. I will need to be conservative with my wind loads. For reference one piece of equipment is LxWxH = 40'x8x'20'. Another is 7'x3.5'x7' but is located 16' off the ground on a platform I am not responsible for.

 

[human909]

Sounds like foundations for a baghouse.

You seem to be answering you own questions. Make sensible conservative assumptions and go for it. You probably should consider what happens if you get product build up if solid extraction stops or is blocked. You can readily get equipment loads much heavier when you have a dozen tonnes of dust stuck in your system.

 

[SteelPE]

Never heard of a baghouse (I had to look it up). The collector looks somewhat similar. There are a few large ground mounted fans and two "abort gates" (whatever those are) that are also mounted on a small tower.

I think my worst condition is going to be with an empty system and high wind loads (0.6D + 0.6W). My lateral load due to wind is 24,000 lbs.

 

[IRstuff]

Seems like all you can do is assume that the collector is taking whatever wind load is applicable for the location and assume that it all transfers to the foundation.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
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[r13]

Just a reminder, for industrial settings, the load combination using reduced weight (0.6D) shall be evaluated in a case by case manner. Sometimes the weight just won't get lost, and other times, the wind load may not be there, or should be reduced for the missing equipment (on platform, say). Conservative is good, if reasonable.