Towards better estimation of extreme winds

The use of dynamic pressure in place of wind speed as the variable when fitting extreme values to the Fisher—Tippett (Type 1) model is discussed. A procedure is proposed by which estimates of extreme winds may be obtained that are superior to those from the standard Gumbel method. The procedure is extended to allow the estimation of extreme winds according to direction, in sectors 30° wide. Adoption of the sectorial estimates leads to substantial reductions in design wind loads over a large range of wind directions in the U.K.