Will they "build back better"?

[OldWiseGuy]

Placing homes on 'stilts' to protect against flood water was a great idea. Looking at the hurricane damage reveals that that technology was very effective. However many of those buildings were destroyed by the fierce winds leaving little but the floor joists and the posts.

What is needed is to make the houses themselves hurricane proof as they rebuild. Perhaps a metal superstructure would be the way to go. Thoughts?

 

[d taylor]

Already been done Russell King and his nephew, Dr. Lebron Lackey in Florida

 

[Estrid]

Placing homes on 'stilts' to protect against flood water was a great idea. Looking at the hurricane damage reveals that that technology was very effective. However many of those buildings were destroyed by the fierce winds leaving little but the floor joists and the posts.

What is needed is to make the houses themselves hurricane proof as they rebuild. Perhaps a metal superstructure would be the way to go. Thoughts?

Not building in flood plains would be sensible

 

[Aussie Pete]

Placing homes on 'stilts' to protect against flood water was a great idea. Looking at the hurricane damage reveals that that technology was very effective. However many of those buildings were destroyed by the fierce winds leaving little but the floor joists and the posts.

What is needed is to make the houses themselves hurricane proof as they rebuild. Perhaps a metal superstructure would be the way to go. Thoughts?

There are standards of construction that allow for wind loading, likely flood levels and how often catastrophic events may happen. I'm not a builder, but there are areas of Australia that are classified as storm prone. They have strict construction standards.

I would expect concrete constructions to survive storms that would flatten brick and timber. Placement is important also. Australia went through a severe drought and town planners were advised that we would never see real rain again. Areas of flood plain were rezoned to residential and commercial development. Well, they did not know that Christians were praying for relief from the drought. Numbers of homes were washed away that should never have been there in the first place.

 

[inquiring mind]

Not building in flood plains would be sensible

Very True... but, if you have the money to replace it everytime it blows away, go for it.

 

[Estrid]

Very True... but, if you have the money to replace it everytime it blows away, go for it.

As long as they pay for it, not insurance and no
environment issues.
Which is a fail on all counts.

 

[inquiring mind]

As long as they pay for it, not insurance and no
environment issues.
Which is a fail on all counts.

Yep, have to agree with you there.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Placing homes on 'stilts' to protect against flood water was a great idea. Looking at the hurricane damage reveals that that technology was very effective. However many of those buildings were destroyed by the fierce winds leaving little but the floor joists and the posts.

What is needed is to make the houses themselves hurricane proof as they rebuild. Perhaps a metal superstructure would be the way to go. Thoughts?

I'm not an engineer or an architect, but this is an awesome thread. Nice to see people coming together to solve issues...

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I would expect concrete constructions to survive storms that would flatten brick and timber.

How about log construction. That would be pretty strong.

 

[Occams Barber]

How about log construction. That would be pretty strong.

1. Being built of logs may help in resisting the force of a flood but it won't stop the house from being flooded

2. Considering the number of trees needed to build a log home, log building seems to be a highly inefficient use of resources

OB

 

[Aussie Pete]

How about log construction. That would be pretty strong.

Probably, but timber is becoming expensive and hard to get. Concrete/polystyrene foam has great insulating properties and it's quick to erect preformed panels. It has disadvantages of course. It's not that flexible after construction. I'd not like to try and install extra power points. I'd look at it as an option if I ever I build a new home.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

1. Being built of logs may help in resisting the force of a flood but it won't stop the house from being flooded

Build the log homes where wind damage is the greatest threat.

2. Considering the number of trees needed to build a log home, log building seems to be a highly inefficient use of resources

Trees are a 'forest crop' and are a renewable resource. Log construction is a great way to sequester carbon as well.

Millions of trees are grown just for making paper. Maybe if we used less paper more log homes could be built with those trees.

Paper Recycling Facts - University of Southern Indiana (usi.edu)

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Probably, but timber is becoming expensive and hard to get. Concrete/polystyrene foam has great insulating properties and it's quick to erect preformed panels. It has disadvantages of course. It's not that flexible after construction. I'd not like to try and install extra power points. I'd look at it as an option if I ever I build a new home.

Lumber prices were high due to Covid but they are starting to come down.

I have cousin who lives in Florida in a small concrete block home. Whenever a serious storm is coming several of her friends stay with her until it blows over.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Build the log homes where wind damage is the greatest threat.



Trees are a 'forest crop' and are a renewable resource. Log construction is a great way to sequester carbon as well.

Millions of trees are grown just for making paper. Maybe if we used less paper more log homes could be built with those trees.

Paper Recycling Facts - University of Southern Indiana (usi.edu)

We can't win. Plastic bags were brought in to save trees. Now plastic bags are evil. Computers were supposed to produce a paperless society. Dream on. Concrete is a major source of CO2 production. Brick making is hugely energy intensive. There are not enough caves for everyone. Trees take decades to mature. When you cut them down, the stored CO2 is released. We are doomed!!!!!!

 

[OldWiseGuy]

We can't win. Plastic bags were brought in to save trees. Now plastic bags are evil. Computers were supposed to produce a paperless society. Dream on. Concrete is a major source of CO2 production. Brick making is hugely energy intensive. There are not enough caves for everyone. Trees take decades to mature. When you cut them down, the stored CO2 is released. We are doomed!!!!!!

Look on the bright side. We could make a business out of solving the problems we've created. Full circle kinda.

Yesterday I pulled weeds out of a week-choked creek to form a fifty-by-fifty foot fishing hole. I fished there today and had a blast. Caught the biggest bluegill I ever caught.

Homemade aquatic weed tools.