Promotion of Monolithic Dome buildings should be a priority. Very similar cost, unusual looking, substantial energy savings, and withstand 400 MPH winds. I don’t understand building anything else in these wind and fire prone areas.
I second David Burns’ boosting of Monolithic Dome construction. For rectangular type buildings, there are 2 other types of reinforced concrete construction I recommend: Insulating Concrete Forms, and Dukane Double-Wall Precast. FEMA 320 urges every home and small business in the DFW area have a “safe room.” Properly built reinforced concrete – which should include horizontal members overhead (ceiling) – will take an EF3 tornado. Frame with Strong-Ties or other approved “hurricane clips” will only take an EF2 tornado. If the building design uses a simple structural plan minimizing corners, using standard size components wherever possible, and modest choices for surface treatments and built-ins, proper tornado-resistant construction including a “safe room” and an EF3-resistant building envelope, is feasible. Not included in most cost comparisons is the price of replacing all the personal property lost when a house is destroyed. EFTornadoSafeHome.
Promotion of Monolithic Dome buildings should be a priority. Very similar cost, unusual looking, substantial energy savings, and withstand 400 MPH winds. I don’t understand building anything else in these wind and fire prone areas.
I second David Burns’ boosting of Monolithic Dome construction. For rectangular type buildings, there are 2 other types of reinforced concrete construction I recommend: Insulating Concrete Forms, and Dukane Double-Wall Precast. FEMA 320 urges every home and small business in the DFW area have a “safe room.” Properly built reinforced concrete – which should include horizontal members overhead (ceiling) – will take an EF3 tornado. Frame with Strong-Ties or other approved “hurricane clips” will only take an EF2 tornado. If the building design uses a simple structural plan minimizing corners, using standard size components wherever possible, and modest choices for surface treatments and built-ins, proper tornado-resistant construction including a “safe room” and an EF3-resistant building envelope, is feasible. Not included in most cost comparisons is the price of replacing all the personal property lost when a house is destroyed. EFTornadoSafeHome.