Wind Hazard Damage Assessment

•Made up of students engaging in forensic engineering and wind damage surveys

•Our goal is to be able to create a network of damage assessment teams equipped to be immediately mobilized in the event of a hurricane or tornado

What is Forensic Engineering

• The investigation of structures, in our case, residential structures or components that fail.

• Develop structural systems that are appropriate for both hurricanes and tornadoes throughout the state of Florida.

Research Goals

• Develop engineering solutions for tornado-resilient, and sustainable housing communities

• Making Florida building practices more applicable nationwide

• Help to reduce the extensive losses and disruption to normal life.

• Practical solutions to mitigate damage

Deployment

• Organize a team, equipment, and travel arrangements, within days after an event in order to conduct on the ground surveys

• Arrive on site, 5-7 days after an event

• Systematically collect spatially related engineering data, 3-4 days onsite

Forensic Investigation in Lake Placid, Florida

• On June 24, 2012, Tropical Storm Debby spawned 18 tornadoes, one of which tracked through Lake Placid, Florida.

• Damage Included: – Loss of the roof deck – Broken glass– Relatively significant roof covering loss – Metal edge flashing and gutters.

• On August 27, 2012, Tropical Storm Isaac induced an EF-1 tornado in Vero Beach, Florida

• 104 homes within its 1.6 mile path.

• Damage include: – Loss of more than 20% roof covering

material– Damaged carports or porches– Broken windows– Loss of a few metal panels and

accessories

Forensic Investigation in Vero Beach, Florida

Deployment to Joplin

Deployment to Joplin