Review of climatic input data for wind load design in accordance with SANS 10160-3

Abstract

With the publication of Part 3 Wind Actions of the South African Loading Code SANS 10160:2010, several issues concerning adjustments from the reference standard Eurocode EN 1991-1-4:2004 could not be resolved due to lack of sufficient updated background information on South African conditions. The need for updating the map for the free field wind speed is related also to the improved representation of the mixed and complex strong wind climate of the country. Furthermore, strong wind probability models are used for the reliability assessment and calibration of wind design procedures. Updating of the reliability provisions for the revised wind loading process was a further need identified at the time. This paper provides a review of the historical development of the representation of the free field wind, used as input to design wind loading procedures for South Africa. The review considers: (i) the historical representations of the geographic distribution of free field wind, (ii) the climatic influences considered, and (iii) the probabilistic bases for the stipulated wind speed for the reliability provisions for design wind loads. On this basis, the background and motivation are provided for updating SANS 10160-3:2010.