What is the effect of the tropical cyclone on buildings?

Answer 1

1 Foundations

The uplift forces from cyclone winds can sometimes pull buildings completely

out of the ground. In contrast to designing for gravity loads, the lighter the

building the larger (or heavier) the foundation needs to be in cyclone resistant

design. Ignoring this precept has led to some dramatic failure of long-span,

steel-framed warehouses.

2 Steel Frames

A common misconception is that the loss of cladding relieves the loads from

building frameworks. There are several circumstances where the opposite is the

case and where the wind loads on the structural frame increases substantially

with the loss of cladding.

Total loss of unreinforced concrete block

walls and destruction of reinforced

concrete supports

Destruction of expensive timber framed

residence (Bahamas)

Loss of corrugated, metal, roof sheets

Longitudinal splitting of timber rafters

Usually the weakness in steel frames is in the connections. Thus

economising on minor items (bolts) has led to the overall failure of

the major items (columns, beams and rafters).

3 Masonry Houses

These are usually regarded as being safe in cyclones. There are

countless examples where the loss of roofs has triggered the total

destruction of un-reinforced masonry walls.

4 Timber Houses

The key to safe construction of timber houses is the connection

details. The inherent vulnerability of light-weight timber houses

coupled with poor connections is a dangerous combination which

has often led to disaster.

3.5 Reinforced Concrete Frames

The design of reinforced concrete frames is usually controlled by

the seismic hazard. In countries where this is not an issue care still

needs to be exercised to ensure that the concrete frames can

accommodate the wind forces. There have been a few isolated

examples where, ignoring this, has led to disaster.

4. Component Failures

1 Roof Sheeting

This is perhaps the commonest area of failure in cyclones. The

causes are usually inadequate fastening devices, inadequate sheet

thickness and insufficient frequencies of fasteners in the known

areas of greater wind suction.

2 Roof Tiles

These were thought to have low vulnerability in storms but past

cyclones have exposed the problem of unsatisfactory installation

practices.

4.3 Rafters

Of particular interest in recent cyclones was the longitudinal

splitting of rafters with the top halves disappearing and leaving the

bottom halves in place. The splitting would propagate from holes

drilled horizontally through the rafters to receive holding-down

straps.

4 Windows and Doors

After roof sheeting, these are the components most frequently damaged in cyclones. Of course, glass would

always be vulnerable to flying objects. The other area of vulnerability for windows and doors is the hardware

- latches, bolts and hinges.

5 Walls

It is not uncommon for un-reinforced masonry to fail in severe cyclones. Cantilevered parapets are most at

risk. But so are walls braced by ring beams and columns have remained safe

Answer 2

If the area floods and has storm surges due to cyclones, is your house high enough? Will your house be able to withstand the gale force winds? If you need to evacuate, will you be able to get out? Will you be able to access your home if there are floods? Is your house away from trees and mountain or hill sides?

Answer 3

buildings are affected by cyclones becauseeeee the winds would do damage or knock down trees around it and those trees crash on buildings. are there floods in cyclones? well if there are then that would do a lot of damage too because buildings would be underwater..and that's just not right.

Answer 4

As a consequence of the storm surge and high wind speed following types of damage are commonly

seen :

1. Uprooting of trees which disrupt transportation and relief supply missions.
2. Damage to signposts, electric poles and transmission line towers.
3. Damage to improperly attached windows or window frames.
4. Damage to roof/lintel projections.
5. Failure of improperly attached or constructed parapets.
6. Overturning failures of compound walls of various types.
7. Failure of roofing elements and walls along the gable ends particularly due to high internal pressures.
8. Failure of large industrial buildings with lightweight roof coverings and long/tall walls due to combination of internal & external pressures.
9. Brittle failure of asbestos.
10. Punching and blowing off of corrugated iron roofing sheets attached to steel trusses