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  • wind
  • weather, climates
  • hurricanes: envelope damage



    • Related References
  • ASCE and IBHS, (2001), The ten most wanted - a search for solutions to reduce recurring losses from natural hazards
  • Carroll, M., (2001), Wall sheathing creates headaches for builder, homeowners
  • Lis?, K.R, (2001), Effects of climate change on built environments
  • Marshall, R. D., (1994), Manufactured homes - probability of failure and the need for better windstorm protection through improved anchoring systems
  • Yancey, C.W., Cheok, G.S., Sadek, F., and Mohraz, B., (1998), A summary of the structural performance of single-family, wood-frame housing



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    		•
    		Essay:

    The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

    "The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1-5 rating based on the hurricane's present intensity. This is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall. Wind speed is the determining factor in the scale, as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf in the landfall region. Note that all winds are using the U.S. 1-minute average.

    Category One Hurricane: Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr). Storm surge generally 4-5 ft above normal. No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs.

    Category Two Hurricane: Winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 km/hr). Storm surge generally 6-8 feet above normal. Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings. Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers.

    Category Three Hurricane: Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/hr). Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required.

    Category Four Hurricane: Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr). Storm surge generally 13-18 ft above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km).

    Category Five Hurricane: Winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 km/hr). Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required.




    More info of this article can be found on the web at: This link was checked on Dec. 2006http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml


    CRDBER, at CBS, BCEE, ENCS, Concordia,