Kentucky Tornados 6

[JedClampett]

I'm a little surprised that no one has posted this. I know that there's no tornado structural design criteria required except for hardened shelters, but that doesn't mean that 100's of people should die or be injured in one building. Was this an engineering failure, a procedural failure or just one of those things?

 

[JohnRBaker]

There always the threat of flying debris, and not necessarily from the material that the building was constructed of, but of the items inside the building or what was already in the air when the tornado hit the building.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

 

[dik]

Ya John... I think projectiles would be one of the more dangerous items.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[OHIOMatt]

Jed, it looks like the Candle Factory was a Pre-engineered metal building. The Amazon facility appeared to be open web steel joists and girders supported by pre-cast concrete bearing walls and HSS columns. From what I can see, it looks like the walls were site cast tilt panels, but I am not certain of that.

Site-cast tilt panels received a lot of scrutiny a few years ago after the Joplin, MO tornado. It looks like many of the same concerns are being raised after this event.

 

[FacEngrPE]

Building Integrity Tornadoes and the Value of a Statistical Life Building codes only somewhat reduce the structural risks tornadoes pose to building occupants, due to the way cost benefit statistics work.

​

I think some measures not yet taken are reasonable to consider, but it is unreasonable to build an entire warehouse to withstand an EF-5.

Pre-engineered metal building are intentionally built with the minimum material needed to meet building code requirements (or something else if customer specified). You get exactly what you pay for and no more.

 

[dik]

Fac... Neat link.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[FacEngrPE]

Industrial Controls uses the concepts of Safety Integrity Level to achieve a similar way of focusing effort where is does the most good.

This document explains the basic concept Controlling Risks Selecting a Safety Integrity Level, also attached.

 

[dik]

again, thanks.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik