ABSTRACT

The focus is to analyze a light wood frame home in a hurricane prone region in the United States. A single story home will be analyzed for its resistance to wind and water pressure due to hurricane forces. Wind pressures are calculated using ASCE 7-05 and wood shear and diaphragm design is calculated using National Design Specifications (NDS). Water pressure is calculated using principles learned in CEE 514 and fluid mechanics.

MOTIVATION

Each year many hurricanes hit the Gulf Coast and Atlantic coast of the United States. Both areas are home to millions of residents as well as millions of tourists. Strong storms pose a threat to the safety and security of these individuals. Most residential homes are constructed with light wood framing and very few homes incorporate materials beside wood. I wanted to analyze a typical American sized home and test the home against different categories of hurricanes to see if the current home construction was adequate or not. Two cases are analyzed. The two cases considered are the effects of wind effects and the combination of wind and water effects on the house. The results will determine if wood sheathing alone is adequate in either cases and determine if any changes would be required.