Problem Diagram

Many tall buildings sway back and forth due to the force of wind currents acting on them. When designing tall buildings, engineers must consider these "wind loads" so that the building will be safe and stable in high winds.

What is known:

• The wind load can be modeled as a linear distributed load.
• The wind load has a magnitude of 40 lb/ft at the base of the building.
• The wind load has a magnitude of 120 lb/ft at the top of the building.
• The building is 500 ft tall.

What is the force resultant of the wind load and where is it located?

• Break the distributed load into its simpler composite parts.
• Determine the single force resultants for each of the composite parts.
• Combine the two resultants into a single force resultant.