In wind loading, when comparing Exposure D to Exposure B, what is generally observed?

In wind loading, when comparing Exposure D to Exposure B, what is generally observed?

• A. Wind pressures are the same.
• B. Wind pressures increase, reaching the highest values in Exposure D.
• C. Wind pressures decrease due to coastal shielding.
• D. Wind pressures are unpredictable.

Answer: (B)

In wind loading, exposure categories describe how terrain and nearby obstructions affect wind speeds near a building. Exposure B covers urban or suburban areas with buildings that break up and slow the wind, providing some shielding. Exposure D represents open, unobstructed terrain such as beaches, flat plains, or coastal areas, where winds stay stronger closer to the ground. Because the wind speed at a given height is higher in Exposure D, the pressure that drives wind loads—which grows with the square of the wind speed—is larger. That’s why wind pressures are higher in Exposure D, and the highest values are typically observed there. Local features can cause variations, but the general trend is a rise in wind pressures from Exposure B to Exposure D.

In wind loading, exposure categories describe how terrain and nearby obstructions affect wind speeds near a building. Exposure B covers urban or suburban areas with buildings that break up and slow the wind, providing some shielding. Exposure D represents open, unobstructed terrain such as beaches, flat plains, or coastal areas, where winds stay stronger closer to the ground. Because the wind speed at a given height is higher in Exposure D, the pressure that drives wind loads—which grows with the square of the wind speed—is larger. That’s why wind pressures are higher in Exposure D, and the highest values are typically observed there. Local features can cause variations, but the general trend is a rise in wind pressures from Exposure B to Exposure D.