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Wind damage from hurricanes
would be significantly reduced if buildings
were constructed with new materials being developed
at University of Maine in USA. The Advanced
Engineered Wood Composites Center of the University
of Maine has come up with new technology using
fiber-reinforced polymer that strengthens the
roof and wall joints of a building, increasing
the structure's ability to withstand high winds
by 50-100%.
The center recently obtained patents on two
products that can make buildings less vulnerable
to the destruction wreaked by hurricanes.
One is a building panel into which a layer of
composite is inserted. The reinforced layer,
which is as strong as steel, works to prevent
nails from being ripped out, thus securing the
joints and helping to keep the building together.
The other patented product is made up of a strip
of composite applied to the panel joints of
a roof. The strip bonds to the joints like putting
duct tape over the panels to keep the roof together.
A structure currently designed to withstand
winds of 200 Km/hour should be able to sustain
winds of 270 Km/hour with this new reinforced
product.
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