Performance of New Homes in a Category 4 Hurricane

A detailed survey of roof damage in new homes in Punta Gorda Isles, FL caused by Hurricane Charley was undertaken in an earlier study. The homes examined were the larger, concrete/clay tiled roof homes with irregular floor plans and complex roof configurations not explicitly covered by the prevailing wind load codes. The survey showed that the vast majority of the roofs in these houses were undamaged or sustained minor damage. This paper presents results from code-based analyses that attempted to estimate wind forces that were resisted at the critical corner location in these undamaged homes. A parametric study was conducted using ASCE 7-98 in which the building geometry, exposure and wind velocity were varied and the pressure coefficient evaluated. Results showed that connections withstood forces that were significantly higher forces than the design value. Such over-design is especially beneficial for narrow buildings were localized pressures are highest.