Structural Functionality Scale for Light-Framed Wood Buildings with Indicators for Windstorm Damage

Abstract

A new, broadly applicable scale for measuring the structural functionality of light-framed wood buildings provides a foundation for progress in disaster and resilience research. Existing scales commonly used in resilience analysis are designed to measure damage and do not resolve functionality, the stated metric of most resilience models. The structural functionality of a building is defined as the ability of the building to provide the primary function as a shelter. Total functionality for a building includes additional nonstructural components, such as electric power, water, and transportation access. The structural functionality scale for light-framed wood buildings is designed to measure structural functionality directly. A set of structural functionality indicators for wind-damaged buildings provides a metric with distinguishable discrete indicators on the continuous structural functionality scale. The structural functionality indicators were designed to provide compatibility with existing scales related to wind damage. General guidelines for similarly metered indicators on the structural functionality scale provide a basis for measuring the impact of other hazards. The structural functionality scale and indicators provide a reference for comparison between resilience models and allow empirical measurements of structural functionality and resilience. Once adopted in conceptual resilience models, the structural functionality scale will provide a basis for validation with empirical measures.