Life-cycle cost and sustainability analysis of light-frame wood residential communities exposed to tornados

Pramodit Adhikari, Hussam N. Mahmoud () and Bruce R. Ellingwood
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Pramodit Adhikari: Colorado State University
Hussam N. Mahmoud: Colorado State University
Bruce R. Ellingwood: Colorado State University

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2021, vol. 109, issue 1, No 23, 523-544

Abstract: Abstract Tornadoes pose a significant threat to residential communities, causing enormous physical damage and losses to their social fabric. The dominant type of single-family residential buildings in the USA is light-frame wood construction, which is especially susceptible to tornado effects. Previous studies considering resilience of light-frame wood buildings have focused primarily on assessing damage, developing damage functions, and exploring different repair methods. Studies related to sustainability have focused mainly on environmental impacts or carbon usage. Practically all of these studies have been geared to assessment of individual buildings. In this study, we couple resilience and sustainability to evaluate their tradeoffs or alignments at the community level from a life-cycle stance. The life-cycle cost and carbon footprint are reflected in the construction and repair of damages due to the tornado hazard, as well as regular repair and maintenance that occurs during the life of the residence. Uncertainties in the randomness in tornado occurrence, size of the tornado footprint, and variation in wind speed intensities within the tornado footprint, and capacities of the building structure and envelope play a significant role in building performance and are considered. We explore a number of repair strategies that might be adopted at the community level in decision-making and policy formulation for homeowners, home builders and community planners. These strategies provide a framework for integrating minimum cost and carbon footprint objectives in risk-informed decision-making, a topic that appears to be lacking in the literature.

Keywords: Community resilience; Fragility; Life-cycle analysis; Residential buildings; Sustainability; Tornadoes. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-021-04847-x

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