Tilt-Up Concrete Assn
PO Box 204
113 First Street W
Mt. Vernon, Iowa 52314

T: (319) 895-6911
F: (320) 213-5555

info@tilt-up.org

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Storm Resistant Housing

Background:

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused devastation to parts of the southern United States. Nearly two years later the nation is trying to return the citizens of those states back to normalcy. One of these communities still trying to recover from Katrina is the town of Biloxi, Mississippi. As I searched through the pictures of the towns struck by the hurricane, I saw how many of the frames of the wooden buildings
were still standing. However, the walls, insulation, and siding had been blown out on the lawns of the Katrina victim’s homes. Many times the walls did not stand up to the hurricane’s forces, the roof was the only structure of the building left standing. The high winds did rip off some roof shingles and even sometimes lifted the roofs of the structures on to the ground.

High Mass Building:

Many of the buildings that did not stand up in the hurricane were low-mass, wood frame buildings and houses. These types of buildings are good for ventilation in a hot-humid climate like Biloxi; but these buildings are not able to stand up to winds as well as high-mass structure. Tilt-up concrete is an innovative relatively new way to build a strong sturdy residential structure. If a structure like this is assisted by an exhaust fan, the same amount of ventilation can be achieved as a low-mass structure.

Lifting Building on Slits:

Floods cause loss of life and property damage. These duplexes are built on stilts ten feet above the ground level to avoid flooding. The buildings on stilts reduce the likelihood of flood level waters ever reaching the main floors of the residential buildings. Although there are many advantages to having a house lifted on stilts, ventilation is also improved by lifting the structure on concrete stilts. The benefits are that all the windows are at least thirteen feet above the ground therefore low lying vegetation will not interfere with the wind flow needed for cross ventilation; the area under the building is always shaded and protected from rain and this area can be used as an outside patio during these times for sun and rain protection.

Stream Lined Roof:

Since hurricanes have strong lifting power, a streamline roof has been designed. The roundness of the roof allows the wind to blow over the structure and there is much less lift than with a traditional gabled roof. The roof is formed from concrete and the insulation of the roof will be located on the inside of the building. The Tilt-up walls will also have insulation located on the inside of the walls. This will make it so the insulation will be almost impossible to be blown away from the building during a storm since the concrete walls have a skin of protection over the insulated layer.

Windows:

During a hurricane, windows are usually the weakest points of a building and the wind and flooding will break windows. This not only causes damage to a building, but is a safety hazard when cleaning areas hit by the storms. In the new design, windows are set back in the concrete, with strong external opaque shutters that can be pulled down from inside when a storm is near to protect the building.

Landscaping:

The landscaping of the residential area is also of concern. Shade trees with high trunks such as palm trees are good for this type of area. These types of trees provide shading while not blocking wind for ventilation of the high-mass building. These trees also are able to withstand flooding and high winds.

Community Center:

In this block I have included a community center, with the same storm protection details as the residential structures. This building is located out of the flood zone on the property. It can be used by victims of future hurricanes as protection, or as a place of short-term housing. The building can also be used for community events. Laundry facilities for public use are located here.

Building Design:

The duplexes are designed with porches all around the structure. This design affords a shady place for people to sit, read, or eat during the hot summer days of the south when being in the direct sun would not be desirable. The walls of the building are made of Tilt-Up concrete, stucco outside with light color,insulation is located inside of wall.

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