This section is particularly useful for engineers designing the actual mechanical equipment enclosure or its anchorage. Also, a new section was added for determining the Component and Cladding (C&C) loads on rooftop structures and equipment. In ASCE 7-10, the design wind force for rooftop structures was revised to include a vertical component of wind force based on research, recently completed at the time, from the University of Western Ontario. While the commentary alluded to a high uplift component of wind loads that should be considered in the design of rooftop structures, ASCE 7-05 provisions did not provide a method for calculating this uplift. While engineers are accustomed to calculating and accommodating for the gravity loads of these units, the proper application of wind loads to rooftop units has historically been a source of confusion.ĪSCE 7-05 provided an equation to generate a horizontal Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS) wind load on rooftop equipment. Mechanical units are routinely placed on the roof of buildings. This article discusses several common non-building structures, how they are currently addressed in ASCE 7, and provides suggestions for addressing areas where the code is silent. Because of this feedback, NCSEA provided recommendations to ASCE 7 for incorporation into ASCE 7-16. One of the most consistent responses was a request for more guidance on commonly encountered non-building structure conditions, such as canopies, rooftop mechanical screen walls, and solar photovoltaic panels. In 2011, NCSEA sent out a survey to approximately 10,000 structural engineers to generate data on the wind load provisions of ASCE 7. However, some would argue that the real challenge is addressing commonly encountered situations which are not directly addressed in the code. For the practicing structural engineer, deciphering the wind provisions of ASCE 7 is an ever-present challenge.
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