Standard Building Code in 1961?

[structuresguy]

Hi all.

I am reviewing a building designed in 1961 using the standard Building Code. Does anyone know what year of the code would have been in effect in 1961? Also, I would like to compare the wind requirements back then to current codes. Can anyone tell me what wind pressure would have been required for a 50 ft tall hospital building in East Central Florida, brevard County, exposure B, Importance=1.15 (if applicable to the old code).

Thanks. I have several old codes, but nothing from that far back.

 

[Ron]

structuresguy....the edition of the code in effect at the time depends on its adoption by local ordinance. For many years, local jurisdictions were several years behind in their adoption of the dated code. For example, your building might have been designed under a version of the code significantly earlier than 1961. Further, there was not a lot of attention paid to uplift of certain types of structural components during that time period.

Codes that old are hard to find. I know an Architect in Orlando who has a good collection, but I don't know if it goes back that far. I'll ask and let you know.

 

[structuresguy]

Thanks Ron, would appreciate that. The hospital campus was built over about 25 years, with the oldest building designed in 1961. The next oldest is 1973, designed to the 71 SBC, which I have.

Ironically, the older building is doing a better job meeting current wind loads than the newer buildings. The oldest has double wythe brick exterior walls, grouted solid. They can meet the wind loads as unreinforced clay masonry. The newer buildings have unreinforced 8" CMU infill walls with brick veneer, which can't handle the current wind pressures. And the newest building (1983) has a sorry excuse for an EIFS wall, which is the worst of all of them. Oh well.