House Design for Natural Disaster Preparedness
In 2011, natural hazards caused over $52 billion in damages in the United States. Most of this cost occurred in the residential sector because a large number of houses were unable to withstand severe weather and geological activity. Th is is an investigation of construction methods and design charac...
| Published in: | Philologia |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Virginia Tech Publishing
2014
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://philologiavt.org/jms/article/view/75 https://doi.org/10.21061/ph.v6i1.50 |
| Summary: | In 2011, natural hazards caused over $52 billion in damages in the United States. Most of this cost occurred in the residential sector because a large number of houses were unable to withstand severe weather and geological activity. Th is is an investigation of construction methods and design characteristics applied to new and existing homes in order to better support residential wooden structures against natural hazards. Th e focus will be on two locations because of their affinity for natural hazards: Anchorage, Alaska and Houston, Texas. Anchorage is prone to flooding, heavy snow, permafrost, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, coastal erosion, and nearby volcanoes. Houston standing at fourth on the list of cities with the greatest risk for natural disasters is subject to hurricanes, flooding, tornados, subsidence, hail, and wildfires. Having utilized online mitigation sources, government agencies, and specialists, I have compiled the information needed to understand the dangers of living in harzard-prone areas. Floor plans have been designed for these two U.S. locations to explain the techniques and products needed to create a hazard resistant home. Along with a floor plan, a list of materials and construction methods will be provided. |
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