Optimum Floor Elevation in Storm Tide Flood Zones

Abstract

For structures located in flood prone areas an engineering cost analysis method is developed to establish the least cost elevation of the structural floor. The least cost elevation is one yielding the lowest life cycle cost combination of flood damage costs, construction costs, operating and maintenance costs together with anticipated gradients, as well as appreciated replacement value costs. The method involves raising the design floor elevation until the incremental life cycle costs associated with the raise in floor elevation equals the decremental life cycle cost of the probable flood damage.