Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Eleanor Hopkins, Senior Jonathan Gildersleeve Kieran Hemminger Remingtin Rodriguez
Lead Presenter's Name
Eleanor Hopkins
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Payal Kotecha
Abstract
Hurricanes pose a significant threat to infrastructure and communities across the southeastern United States, causing billions of dollars in structural damage each year. High wind speeds, storm surge, and wind-driven rain frequently lead to roof failures, structural collapse, and severe interior water damage. As coastal populations continue to grow, improving the resilience of buildings in hurricane-prone regions has become a critical engineering and planning challenge. This literature review examines hurricane-resilient construction practices and evaluates strategies that improve structural performance during extreme weather events. Key areas of focus include continuous load path structural systems, reinforced roof-to-wall connections, elevated foundations to mitigate storm surge, and water intrusion prevention techniques such as sealed roof decks and secondary water barriers. The research from federal agencies and case studies emphasizes the importance of layering wind-resistant structural design with flood mitigation strategies to significantly improve building resilience during hurricanes. The implementation of these practices in modern building codes and engineering guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of hurricane damage and improve long-term infrastructure stability in the southeastern United States.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Included in
Construction Engineering and Management Commons, Environmental Engineering Commons, Geological Engineering Commons
Hurricane-Resilient Construction Practices in the Southeastern United States
Hurricanes pose a significant threat to infrastructure and communities across the southeastern United States, causing billions of dollars in structural damage each year. High wind speeds, storm surge, and wind-driven rain frequently lead to roof failures, structural collapse, and severe interior water damage. As coastal populations continue to grow, improving the resilience of buildings in hurricane-prone regions has become a critical engineering and planning challenge. This literature review examines hurricane-resilient construction practices and evaluates strategies that improve structural performance during extreme weather events. Key areas of focus include continuous load path structural systems, reinforced roof-to-wall connections, elevated foundations to mitigate storm surge, and water intrusion prevention techniques such as sealed roof decks and secondary water barriers. The research from federal agencies and case studies emphasizes the importance of layering wind-resistant structural design with flood mitigation strategies to significantly improve building resilience during hurricanes. The implementation of these practices in modern building codes and engineering guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of hurricane damage and improve long-term infrastructure stability in the southeastern United States.