A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
The Enhanced Fujita Scale: For Use Beyond Tornadoes?
The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale was developed specifically for the estimation of wind speeds based on damage caused by tornado winds. Recently, the question has arisen as to whether or not the EF Scale can be reliably used in reverse to predict the amount of wind damage based on measured or estimated hurricane wind speeds, particularly when wind action is co-mingled with severe storm-surge action and evidence of the exact level of wind damage is obliterated. In considering such use of the EF Scale, we examine separately its two major components: (1) Degrees of Damage and (2) ranges of tornado wind speeds associated with these damage levels. Our experience suggests that, in general, the EF Scale properly describes the overall progression of damage with increasing wind speeds in both tornadoes and hurricanes; however, the wind speeds associated with various degrees of damage are generally expected to be different for structures exposed to hurricanes and tornadoes. Use of the EF Scale to predict hurricane damage based on peak wind speeds is therefore discouraged.
The Enhanced Fujita Scale: For Use Beyond Tornadoes?
The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale was developed specifically for the estimation of wind speeds based on damage caused by tornado winds. Recently, the question has arisen as to whether or not the EF Scale can be reliably used in reverse to predict the amount of wind damage based on measured or estimated hurricane wind speeds, particularly when wind action is co-mingled with severe storm-surge action and evidence of the exact level of wind damage is obliterated. In considering such use of the EF Scale, we examine separately its two major components: (1) Degrees of Damage and (2) ranges of tornado wind speeds associated with these damage levels. Our experience suggests that, in general, the EF Scale properly describes the overall progression of damage with increasing wind speeds in both tornadoes and hurricanes; however, the wind speeds associated with various degrees of damage are generally expected to be different for structures exposed to hurricanes and tornadoes. Use of the EF Scale to predict hurricane damage based on peak wind speeds is therefore discouraged.
The Enhanced Fujita Scale: For Use Beyond Tornadoes?
Womble, J. Arn (author) / Smith, Douglas A. (author) / Mehta, Kishor C. (author) / McDonald, James R. (author)
Fifth Forensic Engineering Congress ; 2009 ; Washington, D.C., United States
Forensic Engineering 2009 ; 699-708
2009-11-02
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
The Enhanced Fujita Scale: For Use Beyond Tornadoes?
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