How to Calculate Wind Forces on Roofs

When designing a building, you have to take into account how much wind pressure the roof needs to be able to withstand without caving in. This can be difficult to calculate because the wind doesn't stay at a constant speed; wind varies widely in pressure and speed from minute to minute. You can, however, estimate the effect of wind pressure on the roof if you know the dimensions of the roof and the most likely wind speed.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Reference table

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Measure the roof's height and width in feet.

   • 2

     Estimate the maximum wind speed. You can look at weather history information to determine the maximum wind speed for an area and can measure the wind speed for several days in a row to determine the average wind speed for an area.

   • 3

     Look up the roof's height in a wind pressure table like the one Cornell University offers on its website. Cross-reference the roof's height and the maximum wind speed to determine the maximum force the roof will be able to withstand.