Book Description

Building codes and standards in other countries are studied in correlation to the number of casualties suffered during a violent storm. Specifically, Bangladesh is offered as a case study of minimum standards of building construction, while Australia is highlighted for having some of the strictest controls in the world. In 1990 and 1991, hurricanes Hugo, Andrew and Iniki pummeled the United States leveling residences, office buildings, a military base, and shopping areas. The devastation had a profound effect on the local communities, industries and commerce. Judging from the destruction these storms caused to the buildings in the area, it is clear that we still have a great deal to learn about designing structures to withstand hurricanes, typhoons and tornadoes. This book, for both the student and practicing architect or engineer, explores wind velocity typical of storms such as these. The weather conditions are then translated into actual forces on a structure to be used to better design buil