Wind Loads module
Free Wind Load Calculator — ASCE 7-22 MWFRS by the Directional (Chapter 27) and Envelope (Chapter 28) Procedures
Calculate wind loads per ASCE 7-22. Exposure category, topographic, and velocity-pressure parameters, then design wind pressures on the Main Wind Force Resisting System by both the Directional (Chapter 27) and Envelope (Chapter 28) procedures, including the wind load cases.
Free to use with no sign-up: the calculator runs in full in the browser with no account, no trial and no feature limits, and the full detailed calculation is shown on screen, step by step, with the code sections and tables it draws on, so it can be checked by hand. A free account keeps one project in the cloud; unlimited cloud projects and printing the report to PDF are Pro features.
What the calculator includes
- Design pressures on every surface for wind perpendicular and parallel to the ridge, with both internal-pressure signs, both Figure 27.3-1 windward-roof Cp values and the windward wall stepped with height, every line substituted.
- Pressure and resultant-force diagrams with the values printed on them: elevation, plan and sidewall views per direction, one resultant per surface summing to the base shear, the four load cases in plan, the Chapter 28 zones, and the §27.1.5 and §28.3.6 minimum loads drawn as pressures and as forces.
- The four Figure 27.3-8 load cases with factors 1, 0.75, 0.75 and 0.563, eccentricity and torsional moment Mz, base shear in both directions with the gable-end triangle counted, roof uplift, the Note 3 rule that runs both windward-roof values and keeps the larger shear, and the Appendix D exemption.
- Chapter 28 envelope procedure for low-rise buildings: Load Cases 1 to 4 with the zones of Figures 28.3-1 and 28.3-2 interpolated by roof angle, the edge-zone width a, the §28.3.2 torsional exception, the §28.3.2.1 distance rule and the §28.3.3 walls-only floor.
- Kd from Table 26.6-1, Ke from Table 26.9-1, Kz and Kh from Table 26.10-1 and the enclosure classification from Table 26.13-1 are each chosen from the table shown in the code's own layout; exposure per §26.7 and Kzt from Figure 26.8-1 are chosen with the clause beside them; nothing is assumed.
- Velocity pressure qz listed at every height from grade to the ridge, the leeward Cp interpolated on L/B with the trace shown, the roof Cp grid by h/L and θ with the footnote b area reduction, and the enclosure computed from the opening areas when it is not simply picked.
- Every result given at the strength level W and at 0.6W for allowable stress design, with the governing case flagged on screen and printed.
In every StructSuite module
- The code clause behind a value is quoted verbatim beside it from a blue book icon — NDS 2024, SDPWS 2021, AISC 360-22, ACI 318-25, ASCE 7-22 and the 2024 IBC, FEMA P-750 and the I-joist manufacturer's technical bulletins — so the standard does not have to be opened to check it.
- A missing input stops the calculation rather than being filled in silently, and judgment choices start unselected.
- Where a limit applies it is checked as you type: beam RB and column ℓe/d, steel Lc/r, rebar ratios and spacing, fy and f′c.
- Every module prints into one calculation report (Pro) with a cover sheet, a table of contents with measured page numbers and a verification link a plan checker opens without an account.
Worked examples and guides for this module
- How to Calculate Wind Loads — Directional Procedure (ASCE 7-22 Chapter 27)A complete MWFRS wind load worked example per ASCE 7-22 Chapter 27: velocity pressure qz and Kz (Eq. 26.10-1), external pressure coefficients Cp for walls and a gable roof, design pressures p with Kd and GCpi (Eq. 27.3-1), base shear in both directions, the minimum design wind load, and the four design wind load cases of Figure 27.3-8 — every number verified against StructSuite.
- How to Calculate Wind Loads — Envelope Procedure (ASCE 7-22 Chapter 28)A complete MWFRS envelope method worked example per ASCE 7-22 Chapter 28 for a 60×30 ft suburban house: velocity pressure qh with the Exposure B footnote, interpolated GCpf zones and areas for Load Cases 1–4, internal pressure, base shear and uplift per case, and the §28.3.6 minimum design wind load — every number verified against StructSuite.
Each guide works the method end to end on the numbers the engine produces. The sample calculation report (PDF) is a complete StructSuite report printed from the sample project — open it without an account.
Frequently asked questions
Which ASCE 7-22 wind procedures are included?
Both procedures for the main wind force resisting system: the directional procedure of Chapter 27 and the envelope procedure of Chapter 28, including the design wind load cases. Components and cladding pressures (Chapter 30) are not included.
What inputs does it need?
Basic wind speed, risk category, the Kd structure type, exposure category, the topographic inputs, ground elevation for Ke, enclosure classification, building dimensions and roof slope. From those it computes the velocity pressure qz and the design pressures on each surface, with the equation and table reference shown at every step.
What does it report?
For Chapter 27: the design pressure on every surface for wind normal and parallel to the ridge, with both internal-pressure signs, the windward wall stepped with height and both windward-roof Cp values; the four Figure 27.3-8 load cases with their base shears Vx and Vy, torsional moments and roof uplift; and the §27.1.5 minimum. For Chapter 28: the zone pressures for Load Cases 1 to 4, base shear and uplift per case, the §28.3.3 walls-only floor and the §28.3.6 minimum. Everything is given at the strength level W and at 0.6W, ready for the load combinations, and drawn on pressure and force diagrams.
Is the wind loads calculator free?
Yes. Free to use with no sign-up: the calculator runs in full in the browser with no account, no trial and no feature limits, and the full detailed calculation is shown on screen, step by step, with the code sections and tables it draws on, so it can be checked by hand. A free account keeps one project in the cloud; unlimited cloud projects and printing the report to PDF are Pro features.