How Has Building Code Adapted? (Part One)

When it comes to natural disasters, a large part of the rebuilding process is understanding and acting on what can be done better. With such a high potential of destruction, both new and existing buildings must evolve to prepare. In this first part, we will begin to discuss building codes and how they have evolved over time due to the influence of the lessons learned from natural disasters.

Wind load standards, or how much wind a structure can withstand, are constantly rising. Primarily associated with the powerful winds that come with hurricanes, ways that engineers and planners make structures more wind resistant include considering the aerodynamics when considering the shape of the building.

Other designs such as hip roofs and impact resistant windows and doors are critical in maintaining strong wind resistance. More internally, reinforcements such as a diagonal brace or shear walls help distribute wind forces more evenly across the entire structure.

We hope you found this first part on how building codes have adapted over time to be insightful on the destructive power of hurricanes and how we have continued since.

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