Wind Panel Pressure on Tall Buildings

Eurocode EN 1991‑1‑4 Part 7.2.2(1) states that when the building cross wind width b is equal to or larger than height h, the structure is treated as a single part so a constant qp(z) at the full building height is used. Figure 7.4 is explicitly intended for simple rectangular buildings with uniform heights. It does not cover stepped or irregular heights.

The Wind zones and Cpe value will be constant through the height of the building, but he Wind pressure qp(z) will vary in accordance with figure 7.4. Hence if 'b' > 'h' then the wind site pressure will be constant at qp(h).

You can examine any variation in wind pressure over  the height of building using the final wind panel pressure 'Q' value annotation. For W cases  represent Q = qp(z)*Cpe*Cs.Cd*'Lack of correlation factor'. For P cases Q =  qp(z)*(Cpe+Internal Pressure Cpi). For S cases Q =  qp(z)*(Cpe+Internal Suction Csi).

For MasterSeries 2024 using SCIPhyr the various heights at which wind pressure is required is automatically determined for each wind direction in accordance with figure 7.4, noting that 'b' may varying for wind direction. This differs for MasterSeries 2023 and below where qp(z)  was determined at all levels, however the rules of the variation of qp(z) from figure 7.4 where observed when applied to the panels in the model.

The Eurocode provides no guidance on varying q over stepped or variable-height components when b≥h. In MasterSeries 'h' is always the tallest part of the structure, while 'b' is the overall cross wind width of the total foot print of the building for a wind direction. Using a single q value at maximum height ensures no under‑assessment of wind pressure on any part.

There is currently no alternative or more detailed method endorsed by the code or available in the software to override this, any attempt would be outside code compliance and potentially less conservative.