Question

What is return period?

(a) number of years, the reciprocal of which gives the probability of extreme wind exceeding given wind speed in any one year

(b) number of years, the reciprocal of which gives the probability of extreme wind less than given wind speed in any one year

(c) number of years, the reciprocal of which gives the probability of mild wind exceeding given wind speed in any one year

(d) number of years, the reciprocal of which gives the probability of mild wind less than given wind speed in any one year

I got this question in an online interview.

The doubt is from Determination of Wind Loads & Load Combinations topic in chapter Structural Analysis, Loading and Load Combinations of Design of Steel Structures

Answer 1

Right answer is (a) number of years, the reciprocal of which gives the probability of extreme wind exceeding given wind speed in any one year

For explanation I would say: Wind load acting on structure varies from year to year based on wind speed and maximum that can be expected to occur at a given location only once in so many years. This period is called return period.