วันศุกร์ที่ 9 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2554

Is a Hurricane Proof House Possible?

While everyone can agree that a hurricane proof house sounds like a wonderful idea, is it actually possible to build one? Can a structure constructed in a very specific way stand up to the terrible damage that high winds, wind-borne debris, and flooding can wreak? The good news is that a construction system using insulating concrete forms, also called ICF construction, can withstand winds of 140 miles per hour. IFC blocks, which are cast in place, form permanent concrete walls. At the University of Florida, an IFC house was recently built by civil engineers. It was tested and withstood winds of 140 mph, thus demonstrating that a hurricane proof house can indeed be built.

As you know, high winds, and the dangerously flying debris they send through the air, as well as flooding caused by storm surges are two serious dangers of hurricanes.

Storm surge/Flooding: Storm surge and flooding can be addressed by building the house high enough above sea level and taking into account the flood zone of the property on which you want to build your house. You may also have to elevate the foundation sufficiently.

High winds/flying debris: In building a hurricane proof house, there are 3 important elements to coping with the high winds and flying debris experienced during a hurricane: the roofing system, the windows, and protection from flying debris. As for protection from flying debris, in a recent test at Texas Tech University, engineers looked at the impact resistance of IFC constructed walls and walls framed in wood, a traditional building method. Despite a simulated tornado with winds of 250 mph, which is a higher velocity that even a Category 5 hurricane, concrete wall construction methods, such as ICF, were able to resist the force of wind-driven debris. In the test, wind-borne debris was not stopped by the wood-framed walls and was able to penetrate the walls.

A tornado often is a hurricane-related phenomenon, forming when a hurricane reaches land. It is caused by the disparity in the hurricane's winds: the upper level winds remain at a high velocity, while the lower level winds slow down. A hurricane or tornado proof house can be built using insulating concrete forms, or ICF, a type of construction that can withstand wind speeds of 140 miles or more per hour. IFC blocks are used to create permanent cast-in-place concrete walls. Using ICF construction, impact-resistant windows and storm shutters, and properly constructed roofs, a hurricane or tornado proof house can be yours.

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