UG-22 of Section VIII says that vessel designers must account for any and all expected loads on a vessel, in addition to
the internal and external pressure loadings you might expect. One of these potential loads is wind. Wind loading can be a significant external force on pressure vessels, especially if the vessel will be located in a coastal area with potential occasional hurricane-force winds. The process for pressure vessel wind design is based on structural design and is usually performed using a building code such as ASCE-7. The design wind speed is converted to lateral loads on the vessel that increase with the height of the vessel. External attachments such as insulation and platforms are affected by wind and must be considered. The vessel components and supports are checked for stress and stability under those loads. Contact us if you have any questions about wind design.
