Wind Design Criteria

DOE-STD-1020-2002

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Wind Design Criteria

The criteria presented herein meet or exceed the target performance goals described in

DOE O 420.1 for each Performance Category. SSCs in each category have a different role and

represent different levels of hazard to people and the environment. In addition, the degree of

wind hazard varies geographically. Facilities in the same Performance Category, but at different

geographical locations, will have different wind speeds specified to achieve the same

performance goal.

The minimum wind design criteria for each Performance Category are summarized in

Table 3-1. The recommended basic wind speeds for straight wind, hurricanes and tornadoes are

contained in Table 3-2 for non-reactor nuclear and other hazardous facilities, reservations, and

production facilities. All wind speeds are 3 second gust, which is consistent with the ASCE 7

approach. Importance factors as given in ASCE 7 should be used where applicable.

Degrees of conservatism are introduced in the design process by means of load

combinations. The combinations are given in the appropriate material national consensus design

standard. Designers will need to exercise judgment in choosing the most appropriate

combinations in some situations. Designs or evaluations shall be based on the load combination

causing the most unfavorable effect. For PC-3 and 4 the load combination to be used should

invoke either wind or tornado depending on which speed is specified in Table 3-2.

Most loads, other than dead loads, vary significantly with time. When these variable

loads are combined with dead loads, their combined effect could be sufficient to reduce the risk

of unsatisfactory performance to an acceptably low level. When more than one variable load is

considered, it is unlikely that they will all attain their maximum value at the same time.

Accordingly, some reduction in the total of the combined load effects is appropriate. This

reduction is accomplished through load combination multiplication factors as given in the

appropriate material national consensus standard.

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