Fragility assessment of wind-induced residential building damage caused by hurricane harvey, 2017

David B. Roueche, Franklin T. Lombardo, Daniel J. Smith, Richard J. Krupar

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Hurricane Harvey struck the Texas coastline on August 25, 2017, as a Category 4 hurricane. Wind gusts over 233 km/h and storm surge as high as 3 m caused widespread damage to buildings and critical infrastructure in coastal communities including Rockport, Fulton, Port Aransas, and Aransas Pass. Over a 12-day survey period, a study team led by the authors assessed the performance of more than 1,000 individual, geo-located residential buildings. This study presents an initial evaluation of empirical wind fragility functions for single-family residential structures impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The fragility functions are constructed using 3-second gust wind speeds adjusted by local ground surface roughness as the demand parameter. The analysis finds that the local terrain is a significant factor in determining the level of damage for structures. High variability is observed in the wind speed to damage relationship.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationForensic Engineering 2018
Subtitle of host publicationForging Forensic Frontiers - Proceedings of the 8th Congress on Forensic Engineering
EditorsRui Liu, Michael P. Lester, Alicia E. Diaz de Leon, Michael J. Drerup
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers
Pages1039-1048
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9780784482018
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018
Event8th Congress on Forensic Engineering 2018: Forging Forensic Frontiers - Austin, United States
Duration: Nov 29 2018Dec 2 2018

Publication series

NameForensic Engineering 2018: Forging Forensic Frontiers - Proceedings of the 8th Congress on Forensic Engineering

Conference

Conference8th Congress on Forensic Engineering 2018: Forging Forensic Frontiers
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAustin
Period11/29/1812/2/18

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
  • Building and Construction
  • Environmental Engineering
  • General Materials Science

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