This Excel sheet is designed to calculate wind loads on low-rise buildings based on the provisions of ASCE 7-05 and IBC 2006. It covers key factors such as wind speed, exposure category, building dimensions, and importance factor to determine design wind pressures for walls and roof surfaces.
ASCE 7-05 and IBC 2006 Wind Load Framework
ASCE 7-05 is one of the most widely referenced editions of the American wind loading standard. It was adopted by the International Building Code 2006 (IBC 2006) and remained the basis for wind design across the United States through the early 2010s. Many jurisdictions still reference ASCE 7-05/IBC 2006 for existing building assessments and permit applications.
For low-rise buildings, ASCE 7-05 provides three design methods:
- Method 1 — Simplified Procedure: for regular-shaped, enclosed, simple diaphragm buildings under 18 m
- Method 2 — Analytical Procedure: for buildings not meeting Method 1 criteria
- Method 3 — Wind Tunnel Procedure: for complex structures
This sheet implements Method 2 (Analytical Procedure) which is the most commonly used approach for low-rise building design.
Sheet Inputs
- Basic wind speed V (mph) per ASCE 7-05 Figure 6-1
- Exposure category (B, C, or D)
- Building height, width, and length
- Roof type and pitch
- Occupancy/importance category (I through IV)
- Enclosure classification (enclosed, partially enclosed, open)
Sheet Outputs
- Velocity pressure at mean roof height (qh) and at each floor level
- External pressure coefficients (Cp) for walls and roof
- Internal pressure coefficients (GCpi) for enclosure type
- Net design wind pressures on each building face
- Total lateral wind force on the MWFRS (Main Wind Force Resisting System)
Download the ASCE 7-05 / IBC 2006 Wind Load Sheet
This sheet is one of the most practically useful in this collection because ASCE 7-05 / IBC 2006 is still widely referenced for existing building assessments, permit applications on older structures, and internationally. The sheet produces a complete wind load calculation report that can be submitted directly with a structural design package. Download the free Excel sheet below.
