Performance‐Based Wind Design of Building Envelopes

This topic was initially presented at the 2021 Virtual Spring Symposium

Presenters: Thomas Smith, AIA, RRC, F.SEI and Scott Bondi, Ph.D., P.E. (NY, CT, NJ, PA), LEED AP

ASCE published the Prestandard for Performance‐Based Wind Design (PBWD) in August 2019. It presents a recommended alternative to the prescriptive procedures for wind design of buildings contained in ASCE 7 and in the International Building Code (IBC). PBWD provides the ability to gain structural economy through enhanced analysis and design techniques. PBWD is intended to rationally reduce damage and losses for design wind effects. Performance objectives are established at the onset of design and are measured according to their related acceptance criteria.

The Prestandard concentrates on the structural systems of tall buildings. However, Chapter 8 presents enhanced design criteria for the building envelope. The criteria address envelopes of both high-rise and low-rise buildings. Chapter 8 is intended to advance the performance of building envelopes.

The presentation will provide an overview of the performance-based wind design of structural elements. However, the presentation will concentrate on the building envelope criteria given in Chapter 8. In addition to design criteria, the construction contract administration and post-occupancy inspections, maintenance, and repair will be discussed.

The presenters of this proposed presentation were the authors of Chapter 8. The Prestandard can be downloaded for no charge at Prestandard for Performance-Based Wind Design | Books (ascelibrary.org)