Enter the projected area of the pole, drag coefficient, and wind speed into the calculator to determine the pole wind load. This calculator can also evaluate any of the variables given the others are known.
Pole Wind Load Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the pole wind load.
PWL = 0.613 * A * Cd * V^2
Variables:
- PWL is the pole wind load
- A is the projected area of the pole
- Cd is the drag coefficient
- V is the wind speed
To calculate the pole wind load, multiply the projected area of the pole by the drag coefficient. Then, square the wind speed and multiply it with the previous result. The constant 0.613 is used to convert the units to the standard unit of force (Newtons) if the wind speed is in meters per second, the area is in square meters, and the drag coefficient is dimensionless.
What is a Pole Wind Load?
A Pole Wind Load refers to the force or pressure that wind exerts on a pole, such as a utility pole, flagpole, or light pole. This load is a crucial factor in the design and installation of poles, as it can significantly impact the pole’s stability and durability. Engineers calculate the pole wind load based on factors like the pole’s height, shape, and material, as well as the wind speed and direction. This helps in ensuring that the pole can withstand high wind conditions and prevent potential damage or failure.
How to Calculate Pole Wind Load?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Pole Wind Load (PWL).
- First, determine the projected area of the pole (A).
- Next, determine the drag coefficient (Cd).
- Next, determine the wind speed (V).
- Next, gather the formula from above = PWL = 0.613 * A * Cd * V^2.
- Finally, calculate the Pole Wind Load (PWL).
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem :
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Projected area of the pole (A) = 10 m^2
Drag coefficient (Cd) = 0.8
Wind speed (V) = 20 m/s
