Ultimate Wind Load Design Gust Wind Speeds in the United States for Use in ASCE-7

This paper presents an overview of the approach employed in the development of the wind speed maps for use in ASCE 7-10. The reason for a reduction in the wind speeds in the new standard as compared to those given in the ASCE 7-98 through 7-05 standards is presented, as well as the reason for the reintroduction of Exposure D along the hurricane coastline. The most significant change in the wind speed maps from the previous version is the shift …