Building a new House

We don't really design for tornadoes, per se. The design wind speed we use is 90MPH and generally translates to ~25psf uplift. Then you have 15psf dead load, so you're really just looking at 10psf net uplift (maybe 400 pounds per truss - easily handled by a small clip). Tornadoes go up to 300MPH, so I think the general consensus is, if you are unlucky enough to get hit by a tornado, a stick-frame building isn't going to hold up anyways. So we just design for heavy storm winds

 

Are you a PEng ?

 

Hopefully soon...will take the exam in a year and a half.

 

This is good to know. I know we do get at least 1 storm a year that gets 60-80 mph winds coming through. Trying to build for a storm with 200 mph winds would just cost too much, that is why we have basements.

 

You should do a poured in place wall all the way up AND a poured concrete roof tied in to the walls with rebar hooks, on a light weight pan deck sitting on steel trusses.
I designed a house like that in FL for the hurricanes back in '07. I was going to build it for myself when the market crashed. Good luck tornado, give it your best

The only thing you would have to replace would be some windows, siding and roof shingles. Otherwise its bomb proof.

It would cost a bit more, but man!! Solid.

The engineer looked at me like I was a nutjob. He actually said, have you ever heard of overkill.

Plus the roof would NEVER leak.

 

I thought you have like 6 months to go?... That's not soon!

 

Yes it is

 

It is for home builders...who are typically slower than molasses in winter

 

Hope the snow we got yesterday didn't send your builder into hibernation

 

Nope, it will be back in the 40's later this week.

 

looks like a pretty spacious house!

Im just finally finishing mine up been moved in for 2months let me tell you the process seems forever but once your moved in its well worth it

 

And the honeydo lists will keep ypu busy for 2 to 3 years.

 

honey do list for only 2-3 years, I could only be so lucky.

 

I have found that Canada is always a step or three ahead of the states as far as code revisions go. As far as hurricane ties are concerned where I live every truss is required a hurricane tie regardless of the uplift value.

 

They got the foundation back filled today and a rough grade done on the yard. The garage is filled with sand so we should have a basement and garage floor this week.

 

Gargage and Basement floors are being poured right now. Pics coming later

 

new pics uploaded. Garage and basement floors have been poured.