Every area is prone to natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. Wise builders factor these risks into the construction of their buildings.
Sustainable materials that can withstand these harsh environmental conditions are becoming more popular. For example, steel-reinforced concrete structures are capable of resisting earthquake damage. They are also more ductile and offer greater flexibility.
Concrete
Concrete is one of the most durable and versatile construction materials in the world. It’s also highly recyclable, and even after demolition, concrete can be crushed and used as aggregate to make new cement for constructing roads, buildings, and more.
Concrete building structures are strong and durable, making them ideal for use in seismic zones. The combination of concrete’s compression resistance and steel reinforcing resists the tensile forces caused by earthquakes, preventing structural damage and collapse. Concrete is also fire-resistant, allowing occupants to escape safely from a burning structure.
The primary binder in concrete, calcium silicate hydrate, has a higher tolerance for heat than other materials like steel and wood. It can withstand temperatures up to 910 degrees centigrade, allowing firefighters to extinguish flames quickly and efficiently. Additionally, concrete’s ability to store heat keeps internal temperatures moderate, reducing the need for heating and cooling systems in buildings.
In comparison to wood and masonry, concrete is more resilient against wind, storms, fire, pests, moisture, and termites. Often, concrete is poured and formed on-site, but it can also be precast in a factory for quicker and more reliable installation. Concrete is also easily molded into a variety of shapes and sizes. This versatility makes it a great choice for homes, schools, hospitals, and other structures that need to stand up to harsh environmental conditions.
Concrete is a popular building material for airports because it can withstand high levels of traffic and weather extremes. In addition to its strength and durability, concrete is also water-resistant, a critical factor in protecting airport runways and taxiways from flooding. In fact, many airports in the U.S. are constructed with concrete pavement, and some airports feature runways that are made of prestressed concrete.
A concrete home can withstand more than 6,500 pounds of force, which is more than enough to pierce the roof and walls of most houses during a tornado or hurricane. Furthermore, a concrete home can also be built with double-pane windows to further reduce the risk of loss during severe weather.
Concrete has become a popular option for homes that are constructed to meet “Fortified…for Safer Living” guidelines. These design and construction guidelines go above and beyond local building codes to increase a new home’s resilience against natural disasters. The Fortified guidelines include a concrete slab foundation, insulated concrete forms (ICFs), and other reinforcement techniques that increase the overall strength of a home. Ultimately, these concrete-based building methods are a smart investment for areas that are vulnerable to earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. For more information about these guidelines and how to protect your home from disasters, visit the Institute for Business & Home Safety’s website.
Masonry Walls
Masonry walls can be made with a variety of materials, including bricks, stones, marbles, granites, concrete blocks and tiles. Generally, these materials are held together with mortar that is bound with cement, lime or dirt. Masonry walls are strong and can withstand many disaster-causing events without being destroyed or damaged.
They can also provide excellent insulation and fire resistance, which can help protect occupants and reduce damage to the building. Unlike wood-framed walls, masonry construction is resistant to the effects of high winds. This can be especially important in earthquake prone areas. Masonry walls are not as prone to water damage as other wall types, but moisture can still cause problems in some situations. A damp-proofing coating can help prevent moisture from penetrating through the walls and damaging them.
The strength of masonry walls is determined by the type and quality of the mortar used. In addition, the size and thickness of the individual masonry units can affect their strength. For example, larger masonry units are stronger than smaller ones. The bonding between the units can also influence a building’s structural performance. Masonry units can be bonded in a variety of ways, ranging from the traditional running bond to more modern cellular block and post-tensioning techniques.
Reinforced masonry is a popular choice for disaster-resistant construction because it has great seismic resistance. The composite system consists of concrete resisting compression forces and reinforcing steel resisting tensile force. It has a better ductility than framed wall construction and can absorb up to six times as much shear force during an earthquake as wood-framed walls.
Another advantage of masonry is its ability to resist the penetration of pests such as termites and carpenter ants, which can damage buildings. Exterior masonry walls are also fire resistant, protecting occupants from smoke inhalation and fire-related injuries.
Masonry walls are generally very cost-effective to build and maintain, compared with framed walls. They are also a good option for reducing energy costs by providing insulation and blocking out heat from the sun. They can be reinforced with FRP (fiberglass) rods, strips and meshes, which can increase their ductility and capacity. These new reinforcement methods are being adopted because they are easier to apply than traditional concrete and can be molded into different shapes. They can be used on both new and existing structures. They can also be used to strengthen existing masonry walls, making them more resilient to damage caused by earthquakes or natural disasters. In fact, many states have incorporated “fortified” construction techniques and building codes into their code regulations to increase the overall disaster-resistance of a home. These fortifications include a concrete or masonry foundation, roof construction and masonry shear walls.