New ASCE Publication Examines the Effects of Hurricane Winds on Engineered Buildings

Reston, Va. – The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) newest publication, Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the US Virgin Islands: Building Performance Observations and Recommendations for ASCE 7, examines the wind effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on engineered buildings under extreme wind conditions, and compares them to the relevant wind design provisions of ASCE 7, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE/SEI 7-16.

Sponsored by the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE, the book offers:

• A comparison of design wind speeds with estimated wind speeds and corresponding observations of engineered building general performance,
• Information on the effects of wind speed-up due to topography,

• Performance of solar panel arrays, and
• Size and triggering mechanism used to determine the wind-borne debris region and the performance of impact-resistant glazing.

Structural engineers and building officials engaged in the wind design and review of buildings will benefit from this new report.

To purchase online, visit the ASCE Bookstore

Limited review copies are available for book reviews. Please contact Kevin Higgins, khiggins@asce.org; phone 703-295-6266.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 150,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. ASCE works to raise awareness of the need to maintain and modernize the nation’s infrastructure using sustainable and resilient practices, advocates for increasing and optimizing investment in infrastructure, and improve engineering knowledge and competency.