I am making the transition to the new code (CBC 2007) and being confronted with the ASCE wind provisions. They seem astoundingly complex and I have a couple of questions that desperately need some answers.
First off, what is a “regular-shaped building”? ASCE defines this as “a building or other structure having no unusual geometrical irregularity in spatial form.” To me, this sounds like any non-rectangular structural is irregular. Is this true? This is very important because it leads into the next question of which analysis method to use. Both Method 1 and Method 2 require “the building or other structure…” to be “… a regular-shaped building or structure as defined in Section 6.2.” This would seem to indicate that you have to use Method 3 (wind tunnel testing!) for an non-rectangular building. I can’t believe that is the case, so I think the definition of a regular-shaped building is different than what it seems to be.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, I apologize if I am asking questions that have already been asked.
TIA,
Doug Mayer, SE
Structural Engineer
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