ISEC 08


PREDICTIONS OF DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS BY DEBRIS

NELSON LAM, EMAD GAD


Abstract

Impact by debris is a major cause of damage to buildings in hailstorms, windstorms and rockfalls. The effects of the impact need to be quantified so that protective installations including building facades, roof coverings and other forms of built installations that are exposed to the hazard, can be designed or retrofitted to withstand projected hazards in a rational and economical manner. This research covers this type of hazards in order to address the lack of information on physical properties of common debris materials, lack of guidelines on how to obtain reliable predictions of the impact, and the poor understanding of the fundamentals. The new knowledge and methodology to be developed in this poorly informed and understood area of technology should instill a new perspective to every engineer in their daily practices. Ultimately, a better understanding and quantification of impact forces would enable the development of innovative protective systems.

Full Text (PDF)