Structural Performance and Wind Speed‐Damage Correlation in Hurricane Alicia

Abstract

This paper describes the performance of buildings and other constructed facilities in the Houston‐Galveston area during Hurricane Alicia on August 18, 1983. Records obtained from 17 anemometer sites in the Houston‐Galveston area provide estimates of the fastest mile speed at 10 m above ground in open rrain. The wind speed estimates at various locations are compared with codes and standards for wind speed design values for constructed facilities. The analysis indicates that wind speed estimates exceeded the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Standard A58.1982 recommended values in only the Baytown‐Laporte area and, possibly, near the west end of Galveston Island. For performance evaluation purposes, all structures are divided into four categories based on the level of engineering attention given during their design and construction phases: fully engineered, pre‐engineered, marginally engineered, and nonengineered structures. Inasmuch as the wind speeds equaled or slightly exceeded ANSI standard recommendations at only a few locations, little building and structural damage should have occurred during Alicia, yet this was not the case. In summary, most of the damage from Alicia in the Houston‐Galveston area was caused by lack of hurricane‐resistant construction rather than the severity of the storm. Provision of adequate fastenings and anchorage of houses in the Galveston area and control of the availability of windborne debris in the Houston area would have substantially reduced damage caused by Alicia.