Wind Damage to Masonry Buildings

An examination has been made of the methods of construction of masonry-walled buildings, and their performance in severe windstorms. Particular emphasis was placed on low-rise buildings using unreinforced concrete block walls and light roofs, which suffer the majority of wind damage. It is shown that traditionally built, nonengineered buildings have become more wind sensitive in recent years as the result of a reduction in the number of internal walls and a lowering of roof weights. Empirical design procedures regarding wall height-to-thickness ratios and roof anchorage have not changed to reflect this increased sensitivity, leaving many modern, nonengineered buildings with insufficient wind resistance. Professionally designed structures often have a similar structural form to traditionally built structures, since the same empirical design rules are often used to size walls and roof anchors. The longer roof spans in these buildings render them even more sensitive to wind uplift loads, and subject to progressive collapse. The inadequacies of present building code requirements are discussed and recommendations for improvements are made.