Coastal and Floodplain Construction Inspector's Practice Exam

If a building is located in an area where the V(ult) is 140 mph, what is the V(asd)?

1. 90 mph

2. 108 mph

3. 120 mph

4. 140 mph

The correct answer is: 108 mph

In determining the V(asd) from a given V(ult), it is essential to understand the relationship between these two design wind speeds, as they cater to different loading scenarios. V(ult) represents the ultimate design wind speed, which accounts for rare, extreme wind events, while V(asd) is the allowable stress design wind speed used for normal service conditions. To convert V(ult) to V(asd), a reduction factor is typically applied to account for the differences in serviceability and safety margins. This factor is often around 0.77, reflecting the confidence in the lower intensity of wind loads during ordinary conditions compared to potential extreme wind conditions. For the case provided, applying the common conversion from V(ult) to V(asd): V(asd) = V(ult) × 0.77 V(asd) = 140 mph × 0.77 V(asd) ≈ 107.8 mph. When rounded, this gives approximately 108 mph. This conversion illustrates how design standards incorporate safety factors, ensuring buildings are designed to handle both typical and extreme conditions effectively.