Dear Colleagues,
Say if I have to apply wind on all the four sides (+x / +z / -x / -z) of an irregular structure/geometry, is it okay to consider only 2 positive cases (+x / +z) as Basic Load Case and generate 4 load combinations with 2 positive and 2 negative values? why? (else) what is the better way?
(e.g.) if DL is 1, WL+X is 2 and WL+Z is 3 then
1.4 DL + 1.4 WL+X
1 1 .4 2 1.4
1.4 DL + 1.4 WL+Z
1 1 .4 3 1.4
1.4 DL + 1.4 WL-X
1 1 .4 2 -1.4
1.4 DL + 1.4 WL-Z
1 1 .4 3 -1.4
unable to find a thread which might have discussed the same topic.
Please advise.
Thanks Sye for your kind response; however my colleagues still insist that irrespective of the structural irregularity / geometry, if there isn't any change on the intensity of external forces acting on the structure, the forces remain same (except for the change in direction); say for instance the values for support reaction for +x & -x would be same - if so, why not just ignore the load case, and use negative sign in the load combination instead...
i'm puzzled, can you throw some light on this (if you don't mind) ?
Since the structure is irregular, it is better to apply the wind in the negative directions as separate load cases.
Answer Verified By: Dani Paul