MECA MecaWind v2406

MecaWind is a wind load calculator software used to calculate wind loads and/or wind pressures on the main wind force resisting system (MWFRS) of buildings and many other structures (Chimneys, Tanks, Towers, Open Signs, Closed Signs, Solar Panels, Rooftop Equipment, Canopy, Bins, Tanks, Silos and Free Standing Walls). It is based upon the ASCE 7 standard used throughout the United States for design loads, which is published by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The MecaWind wind load calculator software contains multiple versions of the ASCE 7 standard as well as the Florida Building Code (FBC). For instance, it includes, ASCE 7-05, ASCE 7-10 and ASCE 7-16, each being a different release of the same standard. The latest version is ASCE 7-16, and many of the changes found from the ASCE 7-10 version to ASCE 7-16 can be found in this article. ASCE 7-05 is also included in MecaWind, but this older version of the standard is used less frequently in jurisdictions. However, having it included allows users to evaluate existing structures to the older version of the ASCE 7 standard. MecaWind software is very cost effective, easy to use, and has a minimal learning curve. The software allows you to perform wind design with ease and is essentially a wind pressure calculator.

MecaWind calculates wind loads per the ASCE 7 standard, and in that standard there are two basic classifications of structures: Buildings & Other Structures.

A building is just as you would expect, it could be a simple house or storage building or a high rise building. There are many different special classifications of buildings within the ASCE 7 standard, and all of these are covered by the MecaWind wind load calculator software. Below is a list of examples:
- Enclosed Building
- Partially Enclosed Building
- Partially Open Building
- Open Building
- Low Rise Building
- Simple Diaphragm Building
- High Rise Building
- L-Shaped Building

There are several different roof types which are addressed in the ASCE 7 standard, and these same roof types are also included as options with the MecaWind wind load calculator software. Depending upon the specific analysis methods chosen, some of these roofs are not handled by ASCE 7. However, the MecaWind wind load calculator software makes it easy for the user to easily see which roofs are permissible based upon the method that has been selected by the user.

Here are some of the more commonly used roof types: Arched, Domed, Flat, Stepped, Gabled, Multi-span Gabled, Hipped, Mansard, Monoslope and Sawtooth.