Assessment of wind speeds that damage buildings

A method to determine the wind speed to cause damage to buildings is described. The method is based on engineering calculations of wind loads generated on the weakest links of buildings such as the roof-to-wall joints of a wood-frame house. Data needed for the calculation include wind direction, building geometry, conditions of windows, doors and other exterior openings immediately before the occurrence of wind damage, and details of the weakest links that initiated the failure. The method can be used for estimating the maximum wind speed of a storm from an in-depth post-disaster investigation. Results of this study indicate that it takes no more than the wind speed of a F-2 tornado to completely destroy either a wood-frame house or a nonreinforced masonry building. The study supports the belief that the wind speed associated with F-3, F-4 and F-5 tornadoes are grossly overrated.