Classification of equivalent static wind loads: Comparisons and applications

This paper reviews the basic ideas, developments, and codification practices of different calculation methods for equivalent static wind load (ESWL) in the past about sixty years. From the landmark work of Davenport's Gust Loading Factor (GLF), Kasperski's Load-Response-Correlation (LRC), and Katsumura, Tamura's Universal-ESWL (U-ESWL), the development thread of ESWL is clarified. The ESWLs are classified based on the number of target load effects (Single-target or Multiple-target) and on actuality (Realistic or Unrealistic). GLF is representative as a “Single-target Unrealistic” ESWL, which has been adopted in many international codes and standards for building design and is extended into many approaches considering different targets (e.g. base bending moment), and different components (along-wind, crosswind, torsional). The LRC method identifies a realistic wind load distribution that causes one target maximum/minimum load effect, is a representative of “Single-target Realistic” ESWL, is well adopted as a background component ESWL, and is further developed to consider the dynamic resonant effect. The U-ESWL simultaneously reproduces maximum/minimum load effects in multiple structural members with only two sets of load distributions, is a “Multiple-target Unrealistic” ESWL, and has also been developed and employed in a wind load code for roof structures.