Wind Effects on Buildings: Design Using the National Building Code
Online
/
Oct 2 - 4, 2023
/
Course Code: 14-0902-ONL23
- Overview
- Syllabus
- Instructor
Overview
This course is held online over 3 days on the following schedule (All times in Eastern Time Zone):
10 am to 6 pm Eastern (Will include the usual breaks and lunch)
After participating in this course, you will be able to:
- develop a good understanding of how wind interacts with buildings and other structures
- make calculations of wind loads on structures and cladding for design purposes
- assess the impact of ground-level snow drifting and work out roof snow loading
- know how to use the provisions of the Canadian wind code
- find out how to reduce wind loads and ensure wind-resistant construction
Description
Wind engineering applications form an integral part of the building design process, providing architects and design engineers with a comprehensive understanding of the interaction between environmental factors and building design. A proper connotation of this interaction can provide significant cost savings to building owners. Wind engineering and building aerodynamics examine the impact of wind action on a building in terms of wind pressures.
Wind engineering studies also address concerns related to off-site impacts of new construction on existing surroundings and microclimatic impacts on pedestrian areas.
Course Outline:
- Introduction to Wind Engineering
- Meteorological Aspects
- Applications / Practice
- Building Aerodynamics
- Provisions of the Canadian Wind Code
- Wind Loads on Structures
- Wind Design Case Study
- Pedestrian Winds
- Ground Level Snow Drifting and Snow Loading on Roofs
- Design Cases
Who Should Attend:
Building Designers • Architects • Builders • Civil and Construction Engineers • Building Officials • Others Involved in the Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Buildings and Other Structures
Required Resources:
Students will need to purchase their own copy of the latest version of the National Building Code of Canada and its Supplement • Calculator and/or Laptop
More InformationTime: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Time
Please note: You can check other time zones here.
Syllabus
Day I
Welcome, Introduction, Course Preview, Learning Outcomes and the Assessment Method
Introduction to Wind Engineering
- Wind flows around buildings; sources of information
- Code analytical methods
- Physical model methods: Wind tunnel vs water flume
- Computational approach
- When to perform wind tunnel tests
Meteorology
- General discussion on meteorology
- Building code and local meteorology
- Wind tunnel and local meteorology
- Meteorological data used for simulation
- How wind speed data is processed for analysis and design
- Wind climatology
- Extreme wind climate
Questions and Answers
Applications / Assignments
- Case Studies, Examples
Building Aerodynamics
- Wind-building interaction
- Mean and fluctuating wind loads
- External wind pressures on building cladding elements
- Roof wind loads (pavers, etc), mullions, canopies, parapets
- Internal wind pressures
- Discussion on techniques in estimating cladding wind loads
- Important design considerations for reducing cladding loads
Day II
Provisions of the 2020 Canadian Wind Code
- Changes from the previous edition of the Code and what is coming up next
- Provision description and rationale
- Alternatives to code procedures
- What about if a particular structure is not covered in the Code?
Applications / Assignments
- Wind pressure evaluations
- Questions and Answers
Wind Loads on Structures
- Building response to wind loads
- Large span roofs
- Discussion on techniques in estimating structural wind loads: Code analytical methods, wind tunnel methods
- Wind tunnel vs. code methods
- Aeroelastic studies
- Aerodynamic stability of buildings
- Applications
Wind Design Case Study
- Participants will work out the solution (under the Instructor’s guidance)
Solution of Wind Design Case Study
- Discussion and Comments
Day III
Pedestrian Winds
- Simulation techniques
- Criteria used to assess comfort and safety
- Application to planning and designing community
- Solution techniques
- Case history examples
Ground Level Snow Drifting and Snow Loading on Roofs
- Methods used to estimate loads
- Application to codes
- How recommended loads are applied to design
- Solution techniques
- Case history and worked-out examples
Applications / Assignments
- Specific evaluations
Design Examples
- Low rise buildings
- Medium rise buildings
- Tall buildings
- Other structures
- Topographical effects
Discussion of Design Examples
Specific Items of Interest to Participants and State-of-the-Art
- How to deal with specific cases
Group Discussion
A discussion will follow on the applications of the topics presented in this Course. The participants will be divided into groups, depending on their individual interests. They will be encouraged to present from their experience scenarios for discussion.
Questions and Answers and Feedback to Participants on Achievement of Learning Outcomes
Instructor

Ted Stathopoulos, PhD and P.Eng., is a professor of building, civil and environmental engineering at Concordia University, Montreal. He is a specialist with more than 35 years of experience in the areas of wind engineering and building aerodynamics, including natural ventilation.
Dr. Stathopoulos has actively participated in numerous external bodies, including the ASCE Standards Committee of Minimum Design Loads of Buildings and Other Structures. Previously honoured by the American Association for Wind Engineering, he also received the 1997 Engineering Award of the National Hurricane Conference for his research in hurricane-resistant construction that led to adopting the new ASCE-7 minimum design loads.
He recently received the 2012 Alan G. Davenport Medal from the International Association for Wind Engineering, following numerous other distinctions, such as the 2009 Jack E. Cermak Medal from the Engineering Mechanics Institute of ASCE. Dr. Stathopoulos is a professional engineer registered in Québec, Ontario, and Greece. A fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and fellow and life member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, he is also the Editor of the International Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics.

NOT INTERESTED IN THIS COURSE?
We always want to improve the quality of our courses. Please select any reasons why you feel this course is inadequate (check all that apply).
Course Rating
Overall rating of this course by its previous attendees!
Fee & Credits
$1995 + taxes
- 2.1 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- 21 Professional Development Hours (PDHs)
- ECAA Annual Professional Development Points
Group Training
REQUEST A QUOTE
Canada Job Grant
Your company may be eligible for funding! LEARN MORE