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Wind loads for housing
Information about a range of wind speed classes that can be used to design and specify products for use in housing.
Wednesday, 15th December 2021
Overview of the Standard
AS 4055 Standard provides designers, builders and manufacturers of building products that are affected by wind loading with a range of wind speed classes that can be used to design and specify such products for use in housing.
This Australian Standard specifies site wind speed classes for determining design wind speeds and wind loads for buildings Classes 1 and 10 within the geometric limits listed in the standard.
What does it include?
The standard is structured into 5 sections consisting of:
- Section 1 - includes the scope of the standard and its limitations, such as building height and width.
- Section 2 - includes a step-by-step process for determining what the site-specific wind classification is. This includes determining what region the site is located within, the topography of the site and whether the site is protected, such as surrounded by other houses. Once the site wind classification has been determined (N1-N6 or C1-C4) the Standard can be used for calculating the raking forces on a house.
- Section 3 - covers how to calculate the pressures and forces on building
- Section 4 and 5 - cover the uplift forces and racking forces respectively. Knowing this is important for determining the amount and location for wall and roof frame bracing, tie-downs and fixing requirements etc.
The standard also contains 4 informative appendices consisting of:
- Appendix A - includes useful information including the background of the calculations in the Standard.
- Appendix B - provide worked examples for the determination of topographical class.
- Appendix C - provide worked examples for the selection of terrain category and shielding class.
- Appendix D - provide worked examples for racking forces.
Is the Standard referenced in NCC or other legislation?
Yes, the standard is referenced in Volume Two of the National Construction Code (NCC).
Who is the Standard for?
The primary users of this standard are building designers, engineers, product manufacturers and builders.
Related Australian Standards
- AS/NZS 1170.2 Structural Design Action, Wind Actions
- AS 1684 Residential Timber Framed Construction
- AS 2047 Windows and doors
- AS 1288 Glass in buildings
- AS 4505 Garage doors and large access doors
Related HIA information sheets
- HIA resource on AS 1684.2-2010 Residential timber-framed construction, Part 2: Non-cyclonic areas
- HIA resource on AS 1684.3-2010 Residential timber-framed construction, Part 3: Cyclonic areas
- HIA resource on AS 1684.4-2010 Residential timber-framed construction, Part 4: Simplified-Non-Cyclonic Areas
Getting a copy of the Standard
An electronic copy of this Australian Standard can be purchased through the Digital Australian Standards webpage
To find out more, contact HIA's Building Services team.
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