Sponsored by the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season produced seventeen named storms, ten hurricanes, and six major hurricanes, leading to catastrophic damages from high winds, rainfall, and storm surges. Two of the most damaging to the United States were Hurricanes Maria and Irma.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the US Virgin Islands: Building Performance Observations and Recommendations for ASCE 7 examines the wind effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on engineered buildings under extreme wind conditions and compares them to the relevant wind design provisions of ASCE 7. Wind provisions studied include

• Comparison of design wind speeds with estimated wind speeds and corresponding observations of engineered building general performance,
• Wind speed-up effects of topography,
• Performance of solar panel arrays, and
• Size and triggering mechanism used to determine the wind-borne debris region and the performance of impact-resistant glazing.

This book will be of benefit to structural engineers and building officials engaged in the wind design and review of buildings.