Comments on: Video: New "Disaster Lab" Simulates Hurricanes, Destroys Entire Houses

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:26:24 +0000

Also, the houses are extremely close together, did that affect wind velocity between them? In terms of timing, where did the first failure occur on the doomed home? At what wind speed did the fortified home fail? If you are going to come out with a study and make claims, you should provide more detailed information.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 22:04:57 +0000

I agree with the other carpenters. Whose agenda was this house built to suit? Could it be the insurance industry — which doesn’t want to cover losses? What monkey framed the doomed house and did he use more than one nail per board? The two homes were mirror images of each other and right on top of each other, was the “bad” house blocking the wind for the “good” one? The exterior door on the exposed side of the “bad” house, did that make a difference? The front doors are open (presumably blown open) but most new construction has a dead-bolt on the front door, and I can tell you mine is dead-bolted 24-7.

By: Clint Huling

Clint Huling — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 03:49:14 +0000

This “tool” looks like it could have some good practical application, but this was not it. I have to agree with Dan from Cape Cod. The house that fell down was built by an insurance suit.

I have lived in the city of Unalaska (Dutch Harbor) for 29 years. I have seen many roofs blow off and several walls blown down. I have seen 1/2″ plywood and OSB sheeting literally ripped in two by the wind. I can tell you, in our city, that house would get blown down every month from November through March and on some months in the summer.

In all of the destruction I have seen, I have never seen a first floor wall get swept off a deck like that. Even a few nails have more sheer strength than that. What normally happens is that the wall is pushed from the top, lifted by the roof, or a window or door is blown in and the back wall is pushed out.

The number one rule to prevent catistrophic wind damage is to tie EVERYTHING to the ground. Number two is to give it some sheer, so it won’t tip over.

I would like to see some practical tests done that show various types of tie-downs and anchors coupled with varying construction techniques. Then we could see what works better and best.

Clint

By: dan

dan — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 23:25:49 +0000

I frame houses with and without “fortification” and I can gaurantee this house was tacked together by an insurance suit with a stapler. Complete horse hockey. These ham wallets will ruin carpenters and framers with their propaganda. Some one needs to regulate every step they take. Dan Swiatkowski D&M Construction framing and remodeling contractor, Cape Cod MA.

By: david

david — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 16:24:21 +0000

Very cool, but should have shown more camera angles, especially inside ones showing the structural failure.

By: Greg Yetsko

Greg Yetsko — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:46:58 +0000

What are the specification details of fortification?

By: HYLAND DELL

HYLAND DELL — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:03:19 +0000

BULLS..T !!!!
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF GEEWHIZ SCIENCE!
THIS WILL BE USED TO VALIDATE THE INSURANCE INDUSTRIES POINTS!
WITHOUT ANY PERTENANT INFORMATION BEING GIVEN TO THE VIEWER
AS TO THE DESIGNED TO FAIL CARPENTRY USED ON THE DEMOLISHED HOUSE!

By: Cheyanne

Cheyanne — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:48:56 +0000

Fortified with what?

Will ins. companies reduce preminums for the fortified home?

By: locksmith houston

locksmith houston — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 23:50:14 +0000

Cool video!!!