Question

When designing a building, you must be sure that the building can withstand hurricane-force winds, which have a velocity of 73 mi/h or more. The formula f=0.004av^2 gives the force F in pounds exerted by a wind blowing against a flat surface. A is the area of the surface in square feet, and v is the wind velocity in miles per hour. How much force is exerted by a wind blowing at 81 mi/h against the side of the building shown?

Answer 1

The first step is calculate the surface area of the flat surface shown

Surface area of the rectangle = length * width = 25*12.9 = 322.5 square feet

Surface area of the triangle = 1/2 *base*height = 1/2*25*7.2 = 90 square feet

Total surface area = 322.5 +90 = 412.5 square feet

Total force = 0.004*a*v^2 = 0.004*412.5*81^2 = 10,825.65 pounds

Answer 2

The surface area is 412.5 square feet add everything into the equation to get

10825.65 pounds