A PDF manual with network version information is available here.

1.)

Q: I am getting a message that I my license is about to expire, what's wrong?

 

A: A license for WLS4 valid for one year.  If you wish to continue using WLS4, you must renew annually.  Failure to renew the license will result in WLS4 not operating.  Standards Design Group must do this to continue operating and providing technical support. 

 

1. If opened, please close your Wind Loads on Structures 4 program. 

2. Navigate to your Standards Design Group, Inc. > Wind Loads on Structures 4 folder.  In this folder you will find a file named "SerialNumber.log". 

3. Open the "SerialNumber.log" file. 

4. Delete the numbers in this file; that was your old serial number. 

5. Copy and paste your new serial number into this file. 

6. Save the file.  (File > Save or <Ctrl> s). 

Now your program is renewed!   

3.)

Q: Why does the program only allow one section when designing an open structure?  I wasn't limited in the previous versions.

 

A: Assumptions are made to calculate pressures on multi-sectioned buildings.  It was the concurrence of our consultants that these assumptions were not conservative enough for the additional uplift pressures the open sections would experience when placed next to a solid/enclosed/partially enclosed section.

4.)

Q: Does Wind Loads on Structures 4 perform Shear and Overturning Moment calculations based on the wind load values it calculates?

 

A: No.  These values are a secondary calculation which is beyond the scope of ASCE 7 Chapter 26.

5.)

Q: What are the numbers that appear in the z column of the MWFRS output tables and the C&C output tables?

 

A: For windward walls the column represents z (vertical distance up the wall).  For side and leeward walls, roofs perpendicular to the ridge and most components and cladding, the column represents h (mean roof height).  For roofs parallel to the ridge or a sloped roof less than 10°,  this column represents the horizontal distance from the windward edge.

6.)

Q: Why does the program report that all user licenses are in use when no one is using the program?

 

A: The last user was not logged out of the program correctly.  This is usually due to the computer crashing while the program is running.  To clear the user log, go to WLS4NWMgr.exe and click on "Log Off All Users".  More information can be found in the Installation Manual.

7.)

Q: Can I transfer the results to an Microsoft Excel spreadsheet?

 

A: Yes.  When you right click anywhere on the results window a "copy to clipboard" box will appear.  Highlight and left-click this statement.  Open Excel and paste. 

8.)

Q: If I install the 4 version of Wind Loads on Structures will my earlier version(s) go away?  Will they affect each other if they are both installed on the same machine?

 

A: The program installs as separate piece of software.  Installing the newest version of the software will not affect the performance of earlier versions nor will older versions affect the newer version.  If you purchase an upgrade version of the software, the previous version MUST be installed on the computer you intend to install the upgrade. 

9.)

 

A:  1)  Select print

     2)  Select adobe

     3)  Click on "edit" button

     4)  Change resolution to 300 dpi

     5)  Save default tag as "anynameyouwant"

     6)  Change default to "anynameyouwant"

     7)  Continue to printing

10.)

Q: I want to design pure wind calculations.  How do I change my kd factor to 1?

 

A: Go to Design > Input > Optional Factors and select the box marked "check if using loads combinations from sources other than ASCE 7"

11.)

Q: I am missing a file "msflxgrd.ocx". 

 

A: You may download it here.  Please place this file in your "Windows\System" folder and/or your "Windows\SysWOW64" folder.

12.)

Q: Are the Basic Wind Speed Loads using the 2010 standard 'Ultimate' or 'Service' loads?

 

A: The Basic Wind Speeds calculated from ASCE 7 2010 Chapters 26-30 are service loads. You will notice that the load combination factors in Chapter 2 have also changed to a lower value (in most cases).  For more information, please reference Comments Section C26.5.1 of your 2010 design standard.

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