Dual-Objective-Based Tornado Design Philosophy
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 2
Abstract
Tornadoes represent a unique natural hazard because of the very low probability of occurrence, short warning times (on the order of only a few minutes), and the intense and destructive forces imposed on engineered and nonengineered buildings. The very low-probability/very high-consequence nature of a tornado strike makes designing for survival and reducing damage under typical financial constraints a substantial challenge. On April 27, 2011, an enhanced Fujita (EF) 4 (EF4) tornado devastated an almost 10-km (5.9-mi) long, 0.8-km-wide (1/2-mi-wide) path, through the city of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and continued on the ground for 130 km (80 mi). This paper presents the design concept that resulted following a week-long data reconnaissance deployment throughout the city of Tuscaloosa by the authors. The dual-objective philosophy proposed herein is intended to focus on both building damage and loss reduction in low-to-moderate tornado wind speeds and building occupant life safety in more damaging wind-speed events such as EF4 and EF5 tornadoes. The philosophy articulates a design methodology that is the basis upon which structural engineering was formed—namely, provide life safety and control damage—but the new philosophy is focused at separate tornado intensity levels.
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Acknowledgments
The National Science Foundation provided partial support for damage analysis following the April 27, 2011, Tuscaloosa tornado through RAPID Grant No. CMMI-1139722. J.W. van de Lindt also acknowledges the Drummond Chair funds at the University of Alabama. Thanks are also extended to the students from the University of Alabama and the University of Florida for their participation in this study.
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© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Sep 21, 2011
Accepted: Mar 30, 2012
Published online: Apr 14, 2012
Published in print: Feb 1, 2013
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