Scaffolding Wind Load Calculator

Check scaffold stability before erection by combining wind speed, height, terrain, and screening coefficients into a single design pressure and total wind load.

Basic wind speed adjusted for location and recurrence interval.
Overall height from ground to top ledger.
Total face area including nets, sheeting, or signage.
Optional. Defaults to 1.0; use <1.0 when mesh allows air through.
Optional. Defaults to 1.0 for suburban terrain.
Optional. Defaults to 1.40 unless site wind studies suggest otherwise.
Optional. Defaults to 1.25 to cover code-required load factors.

Examples

  • Coastal bannered scaffold, 32 m/s wind, 12 m height, 140 m² face, porosity 0.85, terrain 1.15, gust 1.60, safety 1.40 ⇒ Design pressure 1.29 kN/m², load 180.88 kN
  • Urban façade without sheeting, 22 m/s wind, 8 m height, 64 m² area, default modifiers ⇒ Design pressure 0.33 kN/m², load 21.16 kN

FAQ

How should I choose the porosity factor?

Use 1.0 for solid sheeting, 0.8–0.9 for mesh wraps, and 0.6–0.7 when the scaffold is mostly open tubes.

Does this replace detailed code checks?

No. It gives a quick estimate to compare scenarios; always confirm against the governing standard for your jurisdiction.

Can I model night or storm gust allowances?

Increase the gust factor or safety factor to reflect worst-case events or specific client requirements.

Additional Information

  • Base pressure uses the 0.613 × V² relationship from Eurocode and ASCE provisions to convert wind speed into Pascals.
  • Height factor approximates the increase in pressure with elevation, clamped to reflect typical low- and mid-rise scaffolds.
  • Resultant load multiplies design pressure by the exposed area so you can size ties, anchors, and ballast accordingly.

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