Code & Commentary IS 875 (Part 3)
Figure 1: Basic wind speed in m/s (based on 50 year return period)
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Code & Commentary IS 875 (Part 3)
Table 1: Risk coefficients for different classes of structures in different wind speed
zones [Clause 5.3.1]
Mean Probable
design life of
structure in k1 factor for Basic Wind Speed (m/s)
years of
Class of Structure
33 39 44 47 50 55
All general buildings and structures 50 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Temporary sheds, structures such as those
used during construction operations (for
example, formwork and false work), 5 0.82 0.76 0.73 0.71 0.70 0.67
structures during construction stages, and
boundary walls
Buildings and structures presenting a low
degree of hazard to life and property in the
event of failure, such as isolated towers in 25 0.94 0.92 0.91 0.90 0.90 0.89
wooded areas, farm buildings other than
residential buildings, etc.
Important buildings and structures such as
hospitals, communication buildings, towers 100 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.07 1.08 1.08
and power plant structures
NOTE – The factor k1 is based on statistical concepts, which take account of the degree of reliability
required, and period of time in years during which there will be exposure to wind, that is, life of the
structure. Whatever wind speed is adopted for design purposes, there is always a probability
(howsoever small) that it may be exceeded in a storm of exceptional violence; the greater the
number of years over which there will be exposure to wind, the greater is the probability. High return
periods ranging from 100 to 1000 years (implying lower risk level) in association with greater period
of exposure may have to be selected for exceptionally important structures, such as, nuclear power
reactors and satellite communication towers. Equation given below may be used in such cases to
estimate k1 factors for different periods of exposure and chosen probability of exceedence (risk
level). The probability level of 0.63 is normally considered sufficient for design of buildings and
structures against wind effects and the values of k1 corresponding to this risk level are given above.
⎡ ⎧ 1
X N ,P A − B ⎢ln ⎨− ln 1 − PN ( )⎫⎬⎤⎥
k1 = N = ⎣ ⎩ N ⎭⎦
X 50, 0.63 A + 4B
where
N = mean probable design life of the structure in years;
PN = risk level in N consecutive years (probability that the design wind speed is exceeded at least
once in N successive years), nominal value = 0.63;
XN,P = extreme wind speed for given value of N and PN; and
X50,0.63 = extreme wind speed for N = 50 years and PN = 0.63
A and B are coefficients having the following values for different basic wind speed zones:
Zone A B
33 m/s 83.2 9.2
39 m/s 84.0 14.0
44 m/s 88.0 18.0
47 m/s 88.0 20.5
50 m/s 88.8 22.8
55 m/s 90.8 27.3
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Code & Commentary IS 875 (Part 3)
Table 2: k2 factors to obtain design wind speed variation with height in different
terrains [Clause 5.3.2.2]
Height (z) Terrain and height multiplier (k2)
Terrain Terrain Terrain Terrain
(m) Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4
10 1.05 1.00 0.91 0.80
15 1.09 1.05 0.97 0.80
20 1.12 1.07 1.01 0.80
30 1.15 1.12 1.06 0.97
50 1.20 1.17 1.12 1.10
100 1.26 1.24 1.20 1.20
150 1.30 1.28 1.24 1.24
200 1.32 1.30 1.27 1.27
250 1.34 1.32 1.29 1.28
300 1.35 1.34 1.31 1.30
350 1.37 1.36 1.32 1.31
400 1.38 1.37 1.34 1.32
450 1.39 1.38 1.35 1.33
500 1.40 1.39 1.36 1.34
NOTE: For intermediate values of height z and terrain category, use linear
interpolation.
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Code & Commentary IS 875 (Part 3)
CODE COMMENTARY
5.3.2 – Terrain and Height Factor
(k2)
5.3.2.1 – C5.3.2.1 -
The Code defines 4 types of terrains and explains
Terrain – Selection of terrain categories shall
that a structure may effectively lie in two different
be made with due regard to the effect of
types of terrain for two different wind directions.
obstructions which constitute the ground
In addition, the designer shall keep in mind, the
surface roughness. The terrain category used
future development of the surrounding area which
in the design of a structure may vary
may alter the ground roughness and hence the
depending on the direction of wind under
terrain category. It may be noted that Category 2
consideration. Wherever sufficient
has been considered as the datum with respect to
meteorological information is available about
which the other terrain categories have been
the wind direction, the orientation of any
defined. In a given situation, the effect of terrain
building or structure may be suitably planned.
condition, if deviated from the above reference
Terrain in which a specific structure stands terrain, is accounted for through the factor, k2.
shall be assessed as being one of the
Photographs CP1 to CP4 (Cook 1985) are given
following terrain categories:
to demonstrate how terrain categories 1 to 4 may
a) Category 1 – Exposed open terrain be assigned. This is merely for guidance purpose.
with a few or no obstructions and in
which the average height of any object
surrounding the structure is less than
1.5 m.
NOTE – This category includes open sea coasts
and flat treeless plains.
b) Category 2 – Open terrain with well-
scattered obstructions having height
generally between 1.5 and 10 m.
NOTE – This is the criterion for measurement of
regional basic wind speeds and includes
airfields, open parklands and undeveloped
sparsely built-up outskirts of towns and
suburbs. Open land adjacent to seacoast
may also be classified as Category 2 due
to roughness of large sea waves at high
winds.
c) Category 3 – Terrain with numerous
closely spaced obstructions having the
size of building-structures up to 10 m
in height with or without a few isolated
tall structures.
NOTE 1 – This category includes well-wooded
areas, and shrubs, towns and industrial
areas fully or partially developed.
NOTE 2 – It is likely that the next higher category
than this will not exist in most design
situations and that selection of a more
severe category will be deliberate.
NOTE 3 – Particular attention must be given to
performance of obstructions in areas
affected by fully developed tropical
cyclones. Vegetation, which is likely to be
blown down or defoliated, cannot be relied
upon to maintain Category 3 conditions.
Where such a situation exists, either an
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Code & Commentary IS 875 (Part 3)
CODE COMMENTARY
intermediate category with speed
multipliers midway between the values for
Category 2 and 3 given in Table 2 may be
used, or Category 2 be selected having
due regard to local conditions.
d) Category 4 – Terrain with numerous
large high closely spaced obstructions.
NOTE – This category includes large city centers,
generally with obstructions taller than 25 m
and well-developed industrial complexes.
5.3.2.2 – C5.3.2.2 -
Variation of wind speed with height for The variation of wind speed with height is also
different terrains (k2 factor) – Table 2 gives dependent upon the ground roughness and is thus
multiplying factor (k2) by which the basic wind different for each terrain category, as can be
speed given in Fig. 1 shall be multiplied to visualized from Fig. C1. Wind blows at a given
obtain the wind speed at different heights, in height, with lesser speeds in rougher terrains and
each terrain category. with higher speeds in smoother terrains. Further,
in any terrain, wind speed increases along the
height upto the gradient height and the values of
the gradient heights are higher for rougher
terrains. By definition, wind speeds beyond
gradient heights in all terrains are equal. At any
height in a given terrain, the magnitude of wind
speed depends on the averaging time. Shorter the
averaging time, the higher is the mean wind
speed. Also it takes quite a distance, called fetch
length, for wind to travel over a typical terrain to
fully develop the speed profile idealized for that
terrain category.
Fig. C 1 – Boundary Layer Profile for
Different Approach Terrains
5.3.2.3 – C5.3.2.3 -
Ground obstructions in the path of wind may be
Terrain categories in relation to the direction
different for different directions of the wind.
of wind – As also mentioned in 5.3.2.1, the
terrain category used in the design of a
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Code & Commentary IS 875 (Part 3)
CODE COMMENTARY
structure may vary depending on the
direction of wind under consideration. Where
sufficient meteorological information is
available, the basic wind speed may be
varied for specific wind directions.
5.3.2.4 –
C5.3.2.4 -
Changes in terrain categories – The speed
profile for a given terrain category does not Self explanatory.
develop to full height immediately with the
commencement of that terrain category but
develops gradually to height (hx) which
increases with the fetch or upwind distance
(x).
a) Fetch and developed height relationship
– The relation between the developed
height (hx) and the fetch length (x) for
wind-flow over each of the four terrain
categories may be taken as given in
Table 3.
b) For structures of heights greater than the
developed height (hx) in Table 3, the
speed profile may be determined in
accordance with the following:
(i) The less or least rough terrain, or
(ii) The method described in Appendix
B.
Table 3: Fetch and developed height relationship [Clause 5.3.2.4]
Developed Height hx (m)
Fetch (x)
(km) Terrain Terrain Terrain Terrain
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
0.2 12 20 35 60
0.5 20 30 55 95
1 25 45 80 130
2 35 65 110 190
5 60 100 170 300
10 80 140 250 450
20 120 200 350 500
50 180 300 400 500
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Code & Commentary IS 875 (Part 3)
CP1 – Photograph Indicative of Terrain Category 1 Features
CP2 – Photograph Indicative of Terrain Category 2 Features
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