Wind Damage Observations and Implications

Literature containing observations of windstorm damage to buildings is condensed into descriptions of failure modes exhibited by several common building types. Failure modes are reviewed and building types that constitute the largest contributor in windstorm damage costs are identified. Buildings that receive some engineering attention but are constructed largely in a traditional and routine fashion (e.g. low-rise commercial buildings) are especially susceptible to wind-induced damage, and contribute to large economic losses through damage to inventory and loss of business. Wind and earthquake caused damages are compared, and observations regarding damage dissimilarities are examined.