What were the wind speeds @ 300'-500' above sea level? I would like some historical data because I am building residential dwellings and want to build safe structures.
2006-10-08 11:44:33 · 1 answers · asked by jbarmiafla 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Standards & Testing
www.nhc.noaa.gov is the National Hurricane Center web site; you'll have to hunt around a bit but the wind speeds are there.....
they will give wind speeds at the surface..for 500 foot above sea level, www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutwindprofile suggests that you add 123% to the surface wind speed and 151% to the pressure.
Force or pressure goes up as the square of the wind speed; 30 miles an hour is 4 times 15, not twice; 60 is 16 times 15; 150 is 2.25 times 100......
after St Thomas got destroyed by Marilyn in 1995 we all rebuilt to WAY higher standards......wood roofs no more than 5 in 12 pitch; rafters on 16 inch centers and minimum 2x8, double rafter clips or thru bolted to plates; wood walls are now 2x6 on 16" centers with 3/4 ply nailed with 8 penny nails 4 inches apart......
you can't go wrong bolting things wherever you can ! Overbuild as much as you can afford....your customers will complain; then some night it will blow 120 and in the morning they will thank you...I know because that happend to me the day after Marilyn.
2006-10-10 08:25:25 · answer #1 · answered by yankee_sailor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋