Description
Course Description
Whether unusually high winds manifest as hurricanes, tornadoes, severe storms or other events, they can cause substantial harm to both residential and commercial properties, resulting in significant financial loss and possible loss of lives. The best solution would of course, be to not build in hazardous areas, but we are too stubborn to accept defeat. So we do our best to learn all we can of what to expect, to determine wind loads we can reasonably expect to need to mitigate. We examine load paths for the various types of pressures and loads to which we expect buildings to be subjected by wind. We research known ways to mitigate expected forces. Then we seek to implement the best solutions we can afford. Whatever precautions we can take during either design or construction, will be greatly appreciated by building occupants, when a high wind event does occur.
Course Learning Objectives
- Understand the many forms taken by high wind events and the types of possible damage that can be caused to buildings from high wind events.
- Summarize the various ways in which pressurization and depressurization of buildings occurs due to wind. Also, understand the process of funneling and how it can increase wind speed.
- Determine how a building site’s location can change the various categories of wind exposure.
- Recognize the various forces on buildings generated during high wind events and examine the different risks to structures and what can be done to help mitigate the damage.
Course Number: AIAPDH734
Course Hours: 1 LU/HSW
