Estimate wind load on structures.
Wind force is dynamic pressure times drag coefficient times area, and dynamic pressure is half the air density times velocity squared. The squared term is why wind load quadruples when speed doubles: a 100 km/h gust exerts four times the force of 50 km/h. Drag coefficient captures shape — around 1.2 for a flat plate, lower for streamlined forms — and expressing the result as an equivalent static weight makes the magnitude intuitive.
Wind force on a surface
Dynamic pressure = 0.5 x air density x (wind speed in m/s)^2; force = dynamic pressure x drag coefficient x area
This is a simplified physics calculation, not a structural engineering assessment. Real wind load design must follow the applicable building code and be performed by a qualified engineer — failure of wind-loaded structures can cause serious injury.
Because it depends on velocity squared. Doubling wind speed quadruples the force, which is why the margin between a strong wind and a damaging one is narrow.
Roughly 1.2 for a flat panel facing the wind, 0.8-1.0 for a pitched roof surface and lower for curved or streamlined shapes. Building codes specify values for each case.
No. Real design uses code-specified gust factors, terrain and height exposure categories, pressure coefficients and load combinations, all of which change the answer substantially.