There is nothing wrong with using ASCE-7 Method 1 or 2 for non-rectangular buildings. ‘Regular’ is not ‘rectangular’. Method 1 (Simplified Procedure) cannot be used if the building is not symmetrical. Kishor works an example of a ‘U’ shaped building in his ASCE-7 Guide.
Also, there is nothing wrong with using ASCE-7 Method 2 (Analytical Procedure) to calculate wind pressures for buildings having diagonal or non-orthogonal lateral force resisting systems or elements. The ASCE-7 Commentary documents that, while Figure 6-10 (Low-rise provisions) was originally designed by and for the pre-engineered metal building industry and identifies the direction of the moment resisting frames, it has been extended by further study to cover low-rise buildings having MWFRSs other than moment-resisting frames including simple diaphragm systems. It has been further extended by ‘collective experience, intuition and judgment’ to hip-roofed buildings which typically contain diagonal force resisting elements (Figure C6-11).
Christopher Banbury, PE
President
Ark Engineering, Inc.
Phone: (352) 754-2424
Fax: (352) 754-2412
