How are wind loads treated in code with respect to other actions?

How are wind loads treated in code with respect to other actions?

• A. Wind loads are used alone, without combination.
• B. Wind loads are not considered in Alberta codes.
• C. Wind loads are always combined with other actions (dead, live, snow, seismic) per code.
• D. Wind loads are multiplied by a fixed factor only for tall buildings.

Answer: (C)

Wind loads are treated as a variable action that must be included in load combinations with other actions. The code specifies combinations for both ultimate and, where relevant, serviceability design that bring wind together with dead loads, live loads, snow loads, and, depending on location, seismic effects. This approach accounts for scenarios where wind acts simultaneously with other loads, ensuring the structure is designed for the worst-case combination rather than wind in isolation. The idea is not that wind is considered alone or with only tall-building multipliers; rather, wind must be part of the prescribed code-based combinations for all designs where it can govern.

Wind loads are treated as a variable action that must be included in load combinations with other actions. The code specifies combinations for both ultimate and, where relevant, serviceability design that bring wind together with dead loads, live loads, snow loads, and, depending on location, seismic effects. This approach accounts for scenarios where wind acts simultaneously with other loads, ensuring the structure is designed for the worst-case combination rather than wind in isolation. The idea is not that wind is considered alone or with only tall-building multipliers; rather, wind must be part of the prescribed code-based combinations for all designs where it can govern.