hurricane, tornado, typhoon

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truss connection

With proper design and construction, the damage to buildings by hurricane and tornado forces can be greatly reduced.

Natural disasters with high winds

  • tropical cyclones – a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure centre and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor contained in the moist air.
  • hurricanes
  • tornadoes
  • typhoons

Construction for high winds

  • flexible – Wood has a relatively high degree of flexibility which can be beneficial under certain building stresses.
  • strength
  • joints – HD bolt to truss connection. also seen, metal roof batten fixing, speedbrace end fixing.
  • materials – Reinforced concrete is a strong, dense material that, if used in a building that is designed properly, can withstand the destructive power of very high winds, and high-speed debris.
  • openings – Building openings such as garage doors and windows are often weak points susceptible to failure by wind pressure and blowing debris. Once failure occurs, wind pressure builds up inside the building resulting in the roof lifting off the building. Hurricane shutters can provide protection.
  • building codes

What do you think?

  • Ask – How strong are winds in hurricanes and tornadoes? Do all buildings need to be hurricane-proof?
  • Imagine – What are some other situation where high winds are encountered? Are there building ideas that can be applied to buildings ?
  • Plan – How much additional material is required to build a structure that is hurricane-proof? How will this material be used?
  • Create – What are some of the construction techniques that can be used to make the building hurricane proof?
  • Improve – How have building practices improved over the years?

Engineering ideas

  • structures, flexibility, reinforce, concrete, slab, roof member connector, HD bolt to truss connection. also seen, metal roof batten fixing, speedbrace end fixing, shearwall, blockwork

Learn more…

  • Tropical cyclones – Depending on its location and strength, a tropical cyclone is referred to by names such as hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic storm, tropical depression, and simply cyclone.
  • Hurricane-proof building – examples of construction methods

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