Performance of Building Resistance to Water, Waves and Erosion

by Spencer M. Rogers, Jr., North Carolina State Univ, Kure Beach, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hurricane Hugo One Year Later

Abstract:

Water damage to buildings due to Hugo was widespread and severe throughout low-lying coastal areas. Flood insurance claim payments have already exceeded $350 million, the largest payout in the history of the program. Total losses are far higher since many water damaged buildings were not insured for flooding. Hugo provided little new insight into the causes of damage and the performance of various construction practices. The storm reinforced observations from many previous hurricanes and other extreme coastal storms. Well-constructed buildings performed acceptably as long as the design conditions were not exceeded. Fortunately design conditions were exceeded in only a few areas.

Subject Headings: Building design | Structural design | Floods | Sea water | Building codes | Water waves | Storms

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