Exposure Category C is characterized by which terrain condition?

• A. Urban core with tall buildings nearby
• B. Open terrain such as open fields, farmland, and few obstructions
• C. Coastal areas with sea spray
• D. Forest with dense canopy

Answer: (D)

Exposure categories describe how surrounding terrain alters wind loads. For this category, the terrain is open with few obstructions, such as open fields or farmland where wind can blow relatively unimpeded. This means winds reach the site with less shielding than in built-up or heavily wooded areas, though not as exposed as vast coastal fetches with spray. The other environments involve more blocking or different wind effects: an urban core with tall buildings creates significant turbulence and shielding, a forest with dense canopy provides substantial obstruction, and coastal areas with sea spray represent a specialized exposure with salty, uninterrupted fetch.