Wind loads during a cyclone, named a Hurricane in the
Caribbean, or a cyclone, named a Typhoon in the seas of Asia, are
enormous and can be devastating. A mature Hurricane or Typhoon
consists of bands of thunderclouds. Hurricanes (only occurring at the
Northern Hemisphere) spiral in counter clockwise direction around the
center (eye) of the storm. Typhoons (only occurring at the Southern
Hemisphere) rotate in clock wise direction. The wind speeds are highest in
the eye. The whole storm can consist of hundreds of thunderstorms and
measure up to 1000 kilometers in diameter. To qualify as a Hurricane or
Typhoon, a storm must produce winds of over 33 meters per second (193 Mph
or 119 Km/h). Cyclones can be devastating, in particular when a structure
has low stability (*)
Prefabricated wooden houses are extremely sensitive for unbalance. It is
therefore a prerequisite that wooden prefab houses be designed in
accordance with the proper codes if such house is to be built in a
cyclone belt. Based on our 40 years of experience we guarantee your
Prefab Bali House will be designed accordingly by applying the IBC 2009.
The wind loads in the Hurricane or
Typhoon belt depend on the Saffir-Simpson scale in which category such
storm is assigned. A category 5 storm may well reach a devastating wind
speed of 155 Mph (252 km/h). In accordance with the IBC 2009, the highest
basic wind speed may occur at the Southern Hemisphere (Typhoon) measuring
170 Mph (276 Km/h). The Hurricanes in the Caribbean storm belt are mostly
assigned to a maximum of a category 4 storm with a maximum speed of 145
Mph (235 Km/h). The Hawaiian islands are assigned to category 2 with
a maximum wind speed of 105 Mph. Recent scientific studies, however,
reveal that the Hurricane and Typhoon wind forces will increase
considerably during the next decennium due to global warming. In
consequence and as per the scientific prediction we have arbitrarily
increased the standard IBC wind loads with 10% for extra safety. The
standard construction for our houses is based on a normal general
highest wind load, however, the construction will be modified based on
the the results of our structural analyses for the hurricane or cyclone
area where the house is to be built.
Post a technical question about cyclones.
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