Neste artigo, we will walk you through the how to determine the terrain or exposure categories of the upwind side the site location, which are essential for calculating wind loads. We will cover the specific procedures outlined in ASCE 7, NBCC 2015, e AS / NZS 1170.2 for determining the terrain categories and discuss how these apply to each reference code available in the SkyCiv Load Generator.

ASCE 7-16/ASCE 7-22

Para ASCE 7, the procedure to determine the Exposure Category of the upwind exposure of a site location is discussed in Section 26.7, depending on the terrain. Neste artigo, to simplify the reference, we shall be using ASCE 7-16. For each wind source direction, it should be analyzed from two upwind sectors extending ±45°.

Figura 1. Terrain sectors for each wind source direction.

For each sector, the Surface Roughness category should be checked based on the following definition based on Section 26.7.2 de ASCE 7-16:

Tabela 1. Surface Roughness definition based on Section 26.7.2 de ASCE 7-16.

From the definition of Surface Roughness, we can determine the Exposure Category of the terrain bounded by the upwind sector. The definition for each Exposure Category is stated in Section 26.7.3 de ASCE 7-16 do seguinte modo:

Tabela 2. Exposure Category definition based on Section 26.7.3 de ASCE 7-16.

The Table 2 can be visualized thru the following figures based on Figure C26.7-2:

Figura 2. Upwind Surface Roughness conditions required For Exposure B.

Figura 3. Upwind Surface Roughness condition required For Exposure D – caso 1.

Figura 4. Upwind Surface Roughness condition required For Exposure D – caso 2.

The Exposure Category shall be determined for each wind source direction. Using an example site location – “1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, A 60605, EUA”, lets analyze this for each direction.

Figura 4. Sample location for Exposure Category analysis.

Assuming the mean roof height of the structure is 25 ft ( \( 20h = 500 ft \)), we will use the following procedure to check the Exposure Category for each sector:

Condition 1. Determine if Exposure D using Figure 3:

Using Figure 3 – where the distance \( d_{1} \) é 5000 ft (1524 m), we need to check for Exposure D, where Surface Roughness D is dominant for the whole 5000 ft stretch:

Figura 5. Offset distance of 5000 ft from site location for Exposure D check using Figure 3.

Da Figura 5, we can already conclude that wind source directions N, NASCIDO, e E have Surface Roughness D for the whole 5000 ft stretch. Portanto, these wind source directions are Exposição D.

Condition 2. Determine if Exposure D using Figure 2

Using Figure 4 – where the distance \( d_{1} \) é 5000 ft (1524 m) and distance \( d_{2} \) é igual a 600 ft (183 m), we need to check for Exposure D. Da Figura 5, this can only be applied for wind source direction from SE:

Figura 6. Offset distance of 600ft and additional 5000 ft from site location for Exposure D check using Figure 4.

For wind source direction SE, usando \( d_{2} = 600 ft \), we can consider that this section is Surface Roughness B. Contudo, for distance \( d_{1} = 5000 ft \), the section is not 100% Surface Roughness D. Conseqüentemente, SE should not be considered as Exposure D.

Condition 3. Determine if Exposure B using Figure 1

Using Figure 3 – where the distance \( d_{1} \) é 1500 ft (457 m) optimizada \( h < 30 ft \), we need to check for Exposure B.

Figura 7. Offset distance of 1500 ft from site location for Exposure B check using Figure 3.

Da Figura 7, we can determine that for wind source directions NW, C, Antes de carregar sua estrutura, and S are classified as Exposure B as the surface roughness for each direction sector is Surface Roughness B.

Condition 4. If conditions 1 para 3 are not true, Portanto, the terrain is Exposure C.

Portanto, for wind source direction SE, it is classified as Exposure Category C. Resumindo, the exposure categories for each wind source direction is shown in Figure 8 abaixo.

Figura 8. The exposure categories for each wind source direction.

These data can be used to determine what will be the worst wind source direction as the Velocity Pressure Coefficients \( A seguir estão as diferentes maneiras de determinar os coeficientes de pressão de terra para calcular a resistência ao atrito unitária de estacas em areia{z} \), Fator Topográfico \( A seguir estão as diferentes maneiras de determinar os coeficientes de pressão de terra para calcular a resistência ao atrito unitária de estacas em areia{t} \), and Gust-effect Factor \( G \) using detailed calculation are affected by the Exposure Category.

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NBCC 2015/2020

For NBCC 2015, the procedure to determine the Exposure Category of the upwind exposure of a site location is discussed in Section 4.1.7.3(5), depending on the terrain. For each wind source direction, it should be analyzed from two upwind sectors extending ±45°.

 

Figura 9. Terrain sectors for each wind source direction.

For each sector, the terrain category should be checked based on the following definition based on Section 4.1.7.3(5) da NBCC 2015:

Tabela 3. Definition of terrain categories as defined in Section 4.1.7.3(5) da NBCC 2015.

Visualizing the options in Table 3:

Figura 10. Definition of Rough Terrain as defined in Section 4.1.7.3(5) da NBCC 2015.

Figura 10. Definition of Open Terrain as defined in Section 4.1.7.3(5) da NBCC 2015.

Based on Section 4.1.7.3(5) da NBCC 2015, it is permitted to interpolate the Fator de Exposição \( C_{e} \) in intermediate terrain. If the rough terrain distance from the structure location is greater than or equal to 1km or 20 vezes a altura da estrutura, o que for maior, o terreno pode ser considerado como Terreno acidentado, e se a distância for menor que 50 m, é considerado como Terreno Aberto. Caso contrário, the Exposure Factor \( C_{e} \) de acordo com a seção 4.1.7.3(5) will be calculated from the boundary values. This can be visualized in Figure 11 abaixo.

Figura 11. Definition of Intermediate Terrain as defined in Section 4.1.7.3(5) da NBCC 2015.

To further illustrate this, let’s use an example site location – “657 Masters Rd SE, Calgary, AB T3M 2B6, Canadá,” assuming the structure height \( H \) é 25 m ( \( 20H = 500 m \)).

Figura 12. Sample location for Terrain Category analysis.

First step is to classify the obvious rough and open terrain categories for each wind source direction. We can draw 50m and max of 1 km or \( 20 H \) radius from the site location.

Figura 13. Offset distance of 50m and 1km for determining terrain category based on Table 1 definitions.

Da Figura 13, we can say that the wind source directions NASCIDO, E, e SE are classified as Open terrain as the rough terrain length for each direction is less than 50m from the site location. Além disso, for wind source directions W and NW can be classified as Rough Terrain as the rough terrain length for these directions is greater than 1 km. For wind source direction N, we can conservatively assume that the Open Terrain is dominant in this direction. For the rest, S and SW, we can conclude that these are Intermediate Terrain and we will need to measure the distance of the rough terrain from the site location.

Figura 14. Approximate rough terrain length measured from site location for SW wind source direction equal to 574 m.

Figura 15. Approximate rough terrain length measured from site location for S wind source direction equal to 249 m.

From the analysis above, definitely the wind source directions with Open Terrain will definitely yield the conservative values. Contudo, if all wind source directions are classified to Intermediate Terrain, the procedure above is how you can determine the appropriate Terrain Category for each direction.

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AS / NZS 1170.2 (2021)

Para AS/NZS 1170.2, the same procedure with the above references applies in determining the Terrain Category of the upwind exposure of a site location. This is discussed in Section 4.2 de AS / NZS 1170.2 (2021). For each wind source direction, it should be analyzed from two upwind sectors extending ±45°. The definition of each terrain category are shown below based on Section 4.2.1 de AS / NZS 1170.2 (2021):

Tabela 4. Definition of terrain categories as defined in Section 4.2.1 de AS / NZS 1170.2 (2021).

In determining the terrain category for a direction, a lag distance equal to \( 20 z \) from the structure location shall be neglected. Deste ponto, an offset distance (averaging distance) de 500 m ou \( 40 [object Window]), whichever is larger, shall be used as shown in Figure 16 abaixo. A \( z \) value is equal to the average roof height, \( h \), when it is less than or equal to 25 m. It is possible that within this averaging distance to have multiple terrain categories, and as such, linear interpolation of shall be used in determining the \( M_{z,gato} \) valores, depending on the length of each terrain category, como ilustrado na Figura 4.1 de AS / NZS 1170.2 (2021). Neste artigo, we shall only consider a homogeneous terrain category within the averaging distance.

Figura 16. Illustration of the distances used in determing Terrain Category based on AS/NZS 1170.2 (2021).

To further illustrate this, let’s use an example site location – Lat: 32°43’46″S Lng: 151°31’47″E – assuming the mean roof height \( h \) é 10 m ( Onde \( 20z = 20h = 200 m \) e \( 40z = 400 m \)).

Figura 17. The site location with lag distance equal to 200 m and averaging distance equal to 500 m for each wind source direction.

Since we are only to consider the terrain category as homogeneous throughout the entire 500m or \( 40z \) distância, we can already classify each wind source direction. Assuming the buildings on N, NE and E, are buildings that are 5 para 10 m de altura, we can classify these to Terrain Category 3 (TC3) como mostrado na Tabela 4. For wind source directions SE, S, Antes de carregar sua estrutura, and W, since these are grass plains without obstructions, we can classify these as Terrain Category 1 (TC1). Finalmente, for wind source direction NW, we can deduce that there are more than two but less than 10 buildings per hectare, with scattered houses. Portanto, we can classify this as Terrain Category 2.5 (TC2.5).

Figura 18. Summary of terrain category classification for each wind source direction for our sample location.

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Using SkyCiv Load Generator

In SkyCiv Load Generator version v4.7.0, new map tools are introduced – Medir distância e Raios de distância ferramentas.

Figura 19. Ferramentas de medição de distância introduzidas no SkyCiv Load Generator.

A Medir distância ferramenta é usada para gerar um círculo a partir de um ponto clicado no mapa e mostrar seu raio em metros. Por aqui, você pode medir as distâncias do local que está sendo analisado em determinados locais. This can be used in measuring in NBCC 2015 para o Extensão contra o vento do terreno acidentado used in calculating Fator de Exposição \( C_{e} \). Clicking the circle generated will clear it from the map.

Figura 20. Measure distance tool which creates an offset from the location and showing the radius/offset distance from the center introduced to SkyCiv Load Generator.

Por outro lado, a Raios de distância é introduzido para que os usuários possam desenhar círculos com distâncias específicas do local para cada categoria de fonte de vento. It is a toggle button to show or hide the distance radii on the map, with the site location as the center of the circles.

Figura 21. Distance Radii tool which specified offset distances from the site location introduced to SkyCiv Load Generator.

The radii values can be edited upon opening the Settings.

Figura 22. Opção nas configurações para editar as distâncias da ferramenta Distance Radii no SkyCiv Load Generator.

Take note that users must edit the distance values as these are not automatically calculated by the software. Using this for ASCE 7 e NBCC, the worst exposure or terrain category for each wind source direction shall be adopted. With regard to using it in AS/NZS 1170.2 (2021), the software doesn’t use the radii values to calculate for the average \( M_{z,gato} \) valores. Em vez de, the averaging distance is used as the applicable range where we can assign a homogeneous Terrain Category, adopting the worst category for each wind source direction.

From the sections discussed above, you can use these new tools to determine the exposure or terrain categories for each wind source directions. The procedures above can give you a quick terrain classification of each wind source direction. Using GIS and AI tools, you can further check the criteria that we used above for each wind source direction and can get a better and efficient result.

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Referências:

• Cargas mínimas de projeto para edifícios e outras estruturas. (2017). EIXOS / SEIS 7-16. Sociedade Americana de Engenheiros Civis.
• Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa do Canadá. (2015). Código Nacional de Construção do Canadá, 2015. Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa do Canadá.
• Standards Australia (2021), Structural Design Actions. Papel 2 Ações do vento, Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS1170.2:2021, Standards Australia, Sydney, NSW, Austrália.
• Google Maps