Set the wind condition
Use wind speed in metres per second and the air density for the intended assessment.
CRANE & SITE / TOOL 24
Crane Wind Force Calculator
Estimate wind force on a crane component or load when the relevant wind speed, area and force coefficient are already known.
Before you start: required inputs
- Obtain the wind speed appropriate to the assessed height and operating or parked condition from the project wind assessment.
- Measure projected area normal to that wind direction and establish the applicable equivalent force coefficient and resultant height.
Calculation diagram
A PRACTICAL WALKTHROUGH
How to use this calculator
Define the exposed geometry
Use projected area facing the wind and the chosen force coefficient without duplicating an area or coefficient correction.
Read force and moment
Transfer the resulting force and moment into the wider structural or stability load case using the same reference.
80 m² equivalent projected area
THE INPUTS
20 m/s wind, 1.225 kg/m³ air density, coefficient 1.5, 80 m² area and a 10 m force height.
THE RESULT
Velocity pressure is 245 Pa. Estimated force is 29.4 kN and its moment about the reference is 294 kN·m.
What does the result mean?
01
Force varies with wind speed squared; doubling speed produces four times the force when other inputs stay unchanged.
02
Projected area is the area seen in the assessed wind direction, not total painted surface area.
03
This calculation does not establish the site design speed, gust factors, shielding, dynamic response or operating wind limit.
Watch for this
Typing a wind speed in km/h into the m/s field. Divide km/h by 3.6 before using it here.
Formula & model conditions +
q = ½ρV²
F = q C_d A
M = F h
- Uniform entered wind speed and one equivalent projected area.
- Speed profile, gusts, shielding, structural solidity, dynamic response and operating/out-of-service combinations must be established separately.
- The entered wind speed and coefficient are user inputs, not a site-specific code determination.
Common questions
Can I use a weather-app forecast as the design wind speed?
A design assessment needs the appropriate site and condition-specific wind model. A forecast does not automatically provide the required design quantity.
Does this account for open truss members?
Only through the equivalent area and coefficient you provide. Solidity, shielding and member-level effects are not derived automatically.