ABSTRACT
Durability of buildings is of utmost importance in hurricane prone regions. Author of this paper has developed criteria for construction of hurricane shelters, in public schools of the state of Florida, USA. The criteria and design guidelines are adequate for protection of people, for a maximum period of eight hours, in the event of hurricanes with wind speeds up to 240 kilometers per hour. The work was completed after experience with hurricane Andrew that caused 30 billion dollars in damage to buildings, and posed an extremely difficult task of evacuating people from the coastal areas. A research grant from the Department of Education was awarded to the University of Florida for developing criteria for selection of impact resistant materials and construction standards for walls, windows, doors, roofs, foundations, etc., for school buildings. These buildings will serve as educational facilities during normal times, and as hurricane shelters, for general public in extreme wind events. Criteria for uniform and impact loads due to wind speeds and flying debris are discussed. Testing, standardization, and cost of impact resistance glass for windows are discussed. Design procedures for roofs and walls that provide adequate resistance for uniform loads, impact loads, shear, uplift, diaphragm action, and rain intrusion are discussed. The standards are going through a public review process at this time. It is expected that all new schools in the state of Florida will be built according to these standards in 1996.
