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ASCE 7 Wind Tunnel Testing for Complex Buildings

Updated Apr 3, 2026
Permits wind tunnel testing to refine wind load calculations for unusual building shapes.

ASCE 7 Section 26.3 permits wind tunnel testing for complex buildings where analytical methods are inadequate. Scale models are constructed and tested in wind tunnels with simulated wind speed and turbulence. Pressure coefficients measured on the model can be higher or lower than tabulated values. Load effects including overturning moment and base shear are measured. Testing can reduce conservative assumptions and result in more economical designs.

TAGS
asce7wind-tunneltesting
DETAILS
section
26.3
category
Wind Loads
code body
ASCE
code year
2022
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