What is the horizontal dimension of the building called that is parallel to the wind direction when determining wind pressure?

The horizontal dimension of a building that is parallel to the wind direction when determining wind pressure is referred to as the "length." This term is pivotal when calculating wind loads as it helps assess how much exposure the structure has to wind forces. The alignment of the building along the wind direction affects the wind pressure calculations, since buildings experience different pressures based on their orientation and shape relative to the wind flow.

While width and height are also important factors in structural analysis, they pertain to the other dimensions of the building and play a role in overall wind load considerations. However, length is specifically the dimension that runs along the direction of wind, critical for determining how the pressure acts across the building's surface and how it influences the structural design and integrity.

In this context, the designation "L" is often used in engineering to represent the length dimension consistently across various calculations and standards. This notational preference underscores the importance of identifying and applying the correct dimension for wind pressure assessments in engineering practices.