November 14, 2024

Engineering Resilence: Lessons from Fall Hurricane Season

As structural engineers, the fall hurricane season presents unique challenges that push the boundaries of design. Hurricanes Helene and Milton, both from 2024, stand out for their rapid intensification and the vast areas they impacted. With Helene sweeping across Florida’s Big Bend and Milton ranking among the most intense Atlantic hurricanes in history, it’s clear that structural resilience is more important than ever. Here’s how engineers can dive into the technical details of hurricane-resistant design and take valuable lessons from these storms. 1. Wind Loads and Lateral Resistance Hurricanes like Helene and Milton bring with them fierce winds, often reaching over 140 mph, causing massive lateral forces on structures. Wind load analysis is one of the most important aspects of hurricane design, particularly for tall buildings and long-span structures. Engineers use software like RISA-3D to model these forces and design the structure's lateral load-resisting system (LLRS), which might include shear walls, braced frames, or moment frames. For example, in Helene’s path, structures with poorly designed lateral systems were more vulnerable to wind-related failures. By analyzing factors like gust effects and torsional irregularities, engineers can identify weak points and ensure a building’s frame and cladding systems remain intact under extreme wind…

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