Articles

November Technical Speaker 1

International Wind Load Standards Comparison Study for Pipe Rack Modules

The latest ASCE report “Wind Loads on Petrochemical and Other Industrial Structures” acknowledges some international documents and resources that guide the practicing engineer who is involved in reviewing designs or analyzing wind loads on structures at international Petrochemical facilities. Despite the consensus and increased uniformity in wind load determination within the profession, engineers are frequently confronted with situations where multiple country standards are required to be used for the same project. This presents significant challenges to designers, caution is required when applying and interpreting multiple codes and standards.

This presentation is a shorter version of the paper published in the ASCE/SEI 2015 Congress proceeding paper. It gives a comparison of design wind load calculations for pipe rack structures based on seven major international codes and standards: ASCE 7-2010 (American), AS/NZS 1170.2 2011 (Australian and New Zealand), EN Eurocode 1 2010 (European), GB 50009 2012 (Chinese), IS 875 2008 (Indian), NBC 2010 (Canadian), and SP 20.13330 2011 (Russian). A parametric study of a pipe rack module located in non-hurricane area supporting piping, electrical cables and equipment is presented. This simple case study highlights comparative approaches and data among the selected standards. Recommendations based on the study findings and the application of standards in wind loads on pipe rack modules are provided.

Eric H. Wey, P.E., S.E.

Eric Wey is a Director of Structural Engineering with Fluor Corporation in Sugar Land, Texas. He has practiced structural engineering for 25 years with a focus on structural engineering of industrial and petrochemical facilities.

Eric is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Kentucky and a registered Structural Engineer in Illinois. He serves on the ASCE 7 “Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures” committee as a voting member of the Seismic Subcommittee and an associate member of the main committee. Eric was a member of the committees that developed the most recent editions of ASCE “Guidelines for Seismic Evaluation and Design of Petrochemical Facilities” and “Anchorage Design for Petrochemical Facilities.”  

He holds a BS degree in Civil Engineering from Syracuse University and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Rice University. Eric has made numerous presentations over the past few years at the SEI Structures Congress on topics of structural engineering of industrial and petrochemical facilities.

Silky Wong is a licensed Structural Engineer in Illinois and a registered Professional Civil Engineer in Texas and California. She is a member of the ASCE 7 Standards Wind Load Subcommittee, an active member of ASCE, and a member of the ASCE Foundation Legacy Society. Silky was a member of the ASCE Task Committee on Wind-Induced Forces that developed the latest edition of ASCE report on “Wind Loads for Petrochemical and Other Industrial Facilities.” 

Silky is currently a lead Structural Engineer with Fluor Corporation in Sugar Land, Texas. She has been a practicing Structural Engineer in the non-building industry since 2006.

Silky holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Texas at Austin. She obtained a Masters degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Materials from the University of California at Berkeley. Silky is passionate about sharing knowledge in the Structural Engineering field. She has been a recurring speaker at the ASCE/SEI Structures Congress since 2011.