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Abstract
The damage produced by the DeSoto & Lancaster, TX tornadoes was not unusual or unexpected. The Lancaster tornado was surprisingly intense. Only about 5% of the tornadoes each year are rated F4 on the Fujita-Scale. Building performance, although not satisfactory, was not surprising. The small number of deaths and injuries can be attributed to warnings issued by the National Weather Service & the new media and the fact that most people knew what protective action to take to protect themselves. Modes of building failures are relatively easy to identif, because they are seen repeatedly in storms of this nature. Factors observed that lead to excesive damage are: 1) inadequate roof anchorage against wind uplift pressure; 2) weak roof diaphragms that fail to transfer lateral loads to the shear walls or bracing system; 3) use of gravel with built up roofs; 4) use of cladding materials that are susceptible to wind damage; 5) inadequate anchorage of mechanical equipment on roofs.
The damage produced by the DeSoto & Lancaster, TX tornadoes was not unusual or unexpected. The Lancaster tornado was surprisingly intense. Only about 5% of the tornadoes each year are rated F4 on the Fujita-Scale. Building performance, although not satisfactory, was not surprising. The small number of deaths and injuries can be attributed to warnings issued by the National Weather Service & the new media and the fact that most people knew what protective action to take to protect themselves. Modes of building failures are relatively easy to identif, because they are seen repeatedly in storms of this nature. Factors observed that lead to excesive damage are: 1) inadequate roof anchorage against wind uplift pressure; 2) weak roof diaphragms that fail to transfer lateral loads to the shear walls or bracing system; 3) use of gravel with built up roofs; 4) use of cladding materials that are susceptible to wind damage; 5) inadequate anchorage of mechanical equipment on roofs.
Date
7/1994
7/1994
Author(s)
J McDonald; J Ginger; W Wang; B OsborneB
J McDonald; J Ginger; W Wang; B OsborneB
Page(s)
10-15
10-15
Keyword(s)
tornado damage; Texas
tornado damage; Texas